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Hazard 

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A Guide to Removal Actions 


Fourth Edition 


Prepared by the Roy F. Weston 

Site Assessment Technical Assistance Team 

for the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
Region III Superfund Removal Branch 
Under Contract #68-S5-3002 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS 


Introduction.1 

Safety.5 

Sources of Information.7 

Conducting a Removal Assessment .11 

General Hazard Recognition. 19 

Fire/Explosion Checklist.22 

Drum Site Checklist.24 

Lagoon Checklist .27 

Landfill Checklist.29 

Chemical Storage Checklist . 32 

Laboratory Checklist .34 

Industrial Facility Checklist.37 

What’s Wrong With This Picture?.40 

Emergency Removal Guidelines .49 

Emergency Removal Guideline Concentrations .52 

Removal Numeric Action Levels for Drinking Water .71 

Appendices 

1. Toxicology.A93 

2. Environmental Media.A113 

3. Sampling and Basic Data Interpretation.A121 

4. Container Silhouettes..A135 

5. Guide to DOT and NFPA Placards .A151 

6. Integrating Removal and Remedial Site 

Assessment Investigations .A167 


Index 









































































































































































































































Introduction 


This book is the fourth edition of a guidebook for U.S. EPA 
project managers, inspectors, and others to help them view a project 
site from a multimedia perspective and to recognize potential 
emergency or removal conditions that may not be obvious. It is 
essential that the project manager or inspector question everything at a 
project site in terms of the imminent threat posed to human health and 
the environment. 

According to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances 
Pollution Contingency Plan, 40 CFR Part 300.420 (b) and (c), among 
the goals of a remedial preliminary assessment and of a site 
investigation are to determine if there is any potential need for removal 
action, and, if the assessment or investigation indicates that a removal 
action is warranted, to initiate a removal site evaluation pursuant to 40 
CFR Part 300.410. Removal actions are warranted in unstable or 
potentially unstable situations that pose immediate threats to public 
health and the environment. Examples of such threats are weathered, 
leaking drums; potentially explosive substances; damaged buildings or 
other structures with a high potential for causing hazardous substances 
to be released from containment; and so forth. The purpose of this 
book is to help Remedial Project Managers understand the processes 
involved in a removal site evaluation and recognize the potential 
sources of immediate hazards at various types of sites. Such 
recognition is important not only to fulfill the mandates of the NCP, 






2 


INTRODUCTION 


2 


but also to maintain maximum site safety and security during remedial 
actions. 

Many sites, such as those being evaluated for the National Priorities 
List (NPL), are examined first by the Site Assessment Program, not by 
the Removal Program, so it is important that these sites be examined 
in light of their potential for causing imminent threats. Other sites 
undergo emergency removal actions by the Removal Branch first and 
then are transferred to other programs for additional action. During the 
subsequent transition period, conditions that were stable at the end of 
the removal response may have deteriorated so that an imminent threat 
is posed to the public or to the environment. Remedial sites are of 
concern because the remedial process can take years, during which 
weathering and wearing of storage and containment facilities can occur. 
The NPL Site Certification process requires the periodic evaluation of 
remedial sites. These evaluations should include an assessment of the 
need for a removal action. 

A companion to this guide is the Disposal Handbook: A Guide to 
Evaluating Hazardous Waste at a Superfund Site for Disposal , which is 
designed for use once a removal action has been determined to be 
necessary. The Disposal Handbook takes a quantitative approach to 
evaluating known threats at a hazardous waste site, whereas the Hazard 
Evaluation Handbook takes a qualitative approach to determining 
whether a threat exists and, if so, the nature of the threat. 

This book is meant only as a guide to the possible sources of harm 
presented by various types of sites; it is not an exhaustive study. 
Instead, the purpose of the book is to encourage project managers and 
others to examine a site from several different perspectives in 
evaluating potential hazards. 




3 


INTRODUCTION 


3 


Acknowledgments 

This book was prepared by the Region III Site Assessment 
Technical Assistance (SATA) Team under the coordination of the 
Superfund Removal Branch, U.S. EPA Region III. Many EPA 
personnel and SATA members made direct and indirect contributions 
to this project. The project could not have been successfully completed 
without the assistance of the EPA and SATA personnel involved. 










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■ •• 






































Safety 


Certain safety precautions should be considered before entering 
any area that is suspected to be contaminated with hazardous 
substances. EPA’s Standard Operating Safety Guides, November 1984, 
as well as the specific site health and safety plan should be followed to 
prevent short-term exposure and injury and the long-term effects of 
multiple short-term exposures. 

• Review background information about the facility prior to 
making a site visit. A background search may provide such 
useful information as the names of any process chemicals used 
at the facility, contact names, and site-specific hazards and may 
assist field personnel conducting the assessment. 

• Draft a site health and safety plan to address all chemical, 
physical, biological, and radioactive hazards associated with the 
site. Modifications to the safety plan can be made as additional 
information is collected. 

• Conduct an initial survey of the site from a safe distance away 
to determine if there are any visible hazards that should be 
addressed or avoided when entering the site. If the 
contaminants are known, it is possible to gather information 
from the numerous reference sources available, prior to going 
on the site. 






6 


SAFETY 


6 


When making an entry into a site where the materials are 
unknown, high levels of protection (Level B or higher) are 
recommended until sufficient data has been collected to 
determine that lower levels of protection are sufficient. During 
the assessment, the entry team will use direct air monitoring 
equipment to check for radiation, combustible gases, and 
volatile organic and inorganic vapors. Multimedia (air, water, 
and soil) samples should also be collected to determine actual 
concentrations of the contaminants on site. 

Based on the initial survey, select the proper type of personal 
protective equipment to safely perform tasks required for 
further site assessment. Personal protection may include a 
self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or air-purifying 
respirator (APR), chemical protective coveralls, chemical- 
resistant gloves and boots, a hard hat, and safety goggles. 
The purpose of the protective equipment is to minimize the 
risk of exposure to hazardous substances through inhalation, 
ingestion, or skin contact. 

Personnel working on site must have completed a minimum 
level of OSHA-required training per 29 CFR 1910.120. 

Ensure that all persons entering the site read and understand 
the site health and safety plan in order to limit the number of 
injuries. As new threats are encountered and the site work 
plan is revised, the safety plan must be amended to reflect 
these changes. 




Determine if a confined space permit is required. 




Sources of Information 


Questions about the hazards posed by a site and whether a 
removal response is appropriate can be answered by the EPA Region 
III Superfund Removal Branch. Call the following people for 
information: 

Regional Response Center - (215) 566-3255 

An On-Scene Coordinator from the Superfund Removal Branch is on 
duty outside of normal working hours and can be reached through the 
Regional Response Center to answer questions. 

Charles Kleeman, Section Chief - (215) 566-3257 

Removal Response Section (3HW31) 

Superfund Removal Branch 

Karen Melvin, Section Chief - (215) 566-3275 
Removal Enforcement and Oil Section (3HW32) 

Superfund Removal Branch 

David Wright, Section Chief - (215) 566-3293 

Site Assessment and CEPP Section (3HW33) 

Superfund Removal Branch 






8 


SOURCES OF INFORMATION 


8 


Questions about the degree of toxicity posed by a substance 
and its possible effects should be referred to the EPA Region III 
Superfund Technical Support Section (3HW41). Call the following 
people for information: 

Bill Belanger, Regional Radiation Representative (3AT32) - 
(215) 566-2082 

Eric Johnson, Section Chief (3HW41) - (215) 566-3313 

Toxicological information may also be obtained from: 

Samuel Rotenberg, Toxicologist - (215) 566-3396 
RCRA Integrated Management and Support Section (3HW70) 

Additional information can be obtained from: 

American Association of Railroads - (202) 639-2100 

The association provides assistance at sites involving rail shipments of 
hazardous materials. 

Centers for Disease Control - (404) 633-5313 (24 hours) 

The CDC provides assistance in emergencies involving bacterial agents 
or infectious diseases. 

Chemical Emergency Preparedness Program - (800) 535-0202 

This hotline provides information on reporting of hazardous substances 
for community planning purposes. 

CHEMTREC - (800) 424-9300 (24 hours) 

CHEMTREC provides information concerning materials involved in 
hazardous materials incidents. CHEMTREC can also contact 
manufacturers, shippers, or other parties who may be able to provide 
additional assistance. A supplement to CHEMTREC is the HIT 
(Hazard Information Transmission) program, which provides a hard 
copy of hazard data. Non-emergency service can be obtained from 
CHEMTREC by calling (800) 262-8200, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. 




9 


SOURCES OF INFORMATION 


9 


EST. CHEMTREC is operated by the Chemical Manufacturers 
Association. 

National Animal Poison Control Center - (217) 333-3611 
(24 hours) 

The center is operated by the University of Illinois and provides 
assistance at sites involving suspected animal poisonings or chemical 
contamination. 

National Pesticide Telecommunications Network - 
(800) 858-7378 

The network provides information about spill handling, disposal clean¬ 
up, and health effects of pesticides. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, King of Prussia, PA - (610) 337- 
5000 

HQ National Operation Center (301) 816-5100 

These numbers provide information about radiation concerns. 

Safe Drinking Water Hotline - (800) 426-4791 

This hotline provides information about the public water supply 
program, policy, and technical and regulatory items. 

Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste (RCRA) and Superfund - 
(800) 424-9346 

This hotline provides information about the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act and Superfund. It is operated by EPA. 

Texas Tech University Pesticide Hotline - (800) 858-7378 

The hotline provides emergency information in pesticide-related 

incidents. 

TSCA and Asbestos Technical Information and Referral - 
(202) 554-1404 

This hotline provides information on the Toxic Substances Control Act 
and on asbestos. 




10 


SOURCES OF INFORMATION 


10 


US Department of Transportation Hotline - (800) 467-4922 

The hotline provides information and assistance concerning the 
hazardous materials regulations found in the Code of Federal 
Regulations Title 49. 


Computer Resources 

TOXNET 

TOXNET, managed by the National Library of Medicine, provides 
access to data bases on toxicology and related issues. Five integrated 
data base modules are accessible: the Hazardous Substances Data Bank 
(HSDB), Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS), 
Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System (CCRIS), 
Directory of Biotechnology Information Resources (DBIR), and 
Environmental Teratology Information Center Backfile (ETICBACK). 
Call (301) 496-6531 for account information. 

CHEMICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS INC 
CIS provides access to about nine different data bases. Among the data 
bases are the Oil and Hazardous Material/Technical Assistance Data 
System (OHMTADS), the Chemical Hazard Response Information 
System (CHRIS), and the MERCK index. CIS also provides access to 
the SPHERE family of components sponsored by the U.S. EPA Office 
of Toxic Substances, including DERMAL, ENVIROFATE, and 
ISHOW. Call (800) CIS-USER for account information. 

CAMEO - RIDS 

The Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) 
program provides response information and recommendations for over 
4000 commonly transported chemicals, an air dispersion model, and 
components for emergency response planning. Call (800) 99CAMEO 
for account information. 

Internet Resources 

For information on numerous topics including pollution control and 
remediation technologies relating to air, water, and hazardous waste 
start at EPA’s web site at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/ 




Conducting a Removal 
Assessment 


Certain safety precautions should be considered before entering 
an area of any description that is suspected to be contaminated with 
hazardous substances. The National Contingency Plan, 40 CFR Section 
300.410, gives the minimal procedures for conducting a removal site 
evaluation, which "includes a removal preliminary assessment and, if 
warranted, a removal site inspection." According to the NCP: 

300.410(c)(1) The lead agency shall, as appropriate, base the 
removal preliminary assessment on readily available information. 
A removal preliminary assessment may include, but is not limited 
to: 

(i) Identification of the source and nature of the release or 
threat of release; 

This may be as easy as reading the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT) placard on a tank truck. In the case of a 
hazardous waste site with hundreds of possibly unlabeled drums 
of different chemicals, recognition of the source and nature of 
the threat posed requires use of all information available; e.g., 
historical data, visual observation, monitoring data, sample data, 
package labels, shipping manifests, and witnesses. 






12 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


12 


(ii) Evaluation by ATSDR or by other sources, such as state 
public health agencies, of the threat to public health; 

In order to evaluate the level of threat that a site poses to 
public health, ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry) requires a report that describes the site and its 
history; lists the substances present on site and the quantity of 
contaminated material in different media (soil, water, air); 
describes the relationship between the site and such 
environmental pathways as groundwater, surface water, soil, 
sediment, and air; and provides documentation of quality 
control/quality assurance for supporting sample data. Similar 
reports can be prepared for EPA toxicologists and other public 
health officials so they can evaluate the degree of threat posed 
by a site. 

(iii) Evaluation of the magnitude of the threat; 

Evaluation is determining the actual or potential impact of 
a threat to public health and welfare and to the environment. To 
evaluate the magnitude of a hazardous materials site, all 
substances must be identified, their concentrations determined, 
and their dispersion pathways established. Then, risk can be 
assessed on the basis of exposure or the threat of exposure to 
the public and the environment. 

(iv) Evaluation of factors necessary to make the determination of 
whether a removal is necessary; and 

The eight criteria for a removal are set forth in Section 
300.415 of the NCP. These criteria are qualitative in nature, 
and it is not necessary that all of them be satisfied for a removal 
to be initiated. The criteria are discussed below. 

(v) Determination of whether a nonfederal party is undertaking 
proper response. 

Research whether state and/or local agencies or the 
potentially responsible party (PRP) have taken action to mitigate 
conditions at the site. 




13 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


13 


300.410(c)(2) A removal preliminary assessment of releases from 
hazardous waste management facilities may include collection or 
review of data such as site management practices, information from 
generators, photographs, literature searches, and personal 
interviews conducted, as appropriate. 

300.410(d) A removal site inspection may be performed if more 
information is needed. Such inspection may include a perimeter 
(i.e., off-site) or on-site inspection, taking into consideration 
whether such inspection can be performed safely. 

Initial entry personnel should determine the presence of any 
hazards that may affect response personnel, the public, and the 
environment; verify existing information and obtain additional 
information about the site; evaluate the need for prompt action to 
mitigate any situation on-site; and collect information to establish safety 
requirements for additional personnel entering the site. 


NCP Criteria For Initiating A Removal Action 

Section 300.415 of the NCP sets forth the criteria for determining 
whether a removal action is warranted. If the site meets one or more 
of the criteria, a removal action may be necessary. 

300.415(b)(2) The following factors shall be considered in 
determining the appropriateness of a removal action pursuant to 
this section: 

(i) Actual or potential exposure to nearby human populations, 
animals, or the food chain from hazardous substances or 
pollutants or contaminants; 

Determine whether the site poses a direct exposure threat. 
Look for evidence of children playing in or near the site. Look 
for evidence of people walking or riding through the area, 
possibly stirring up contaminated dust. Check for schools, 
retirement communities, hospitals or other institutions nearby 
with sensitive populations that may be affected by site emissions. 




14 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


14 


emissions. Explore whether contaminated runoff from the site 
enters nearby streams or impoundments. Look for wells in the 
vicinity of the site that are affected by groundwater 
contaminants. Determine whether the contaminants are likely to 
enter the food chain through biouptake. 

(ii) Actual or potential contamination of drinking water supplies 
or sensitive ecosystems; 

Determine whether the release affects, or has the potential 
to affect, a groundwater aquifer or surface waterway used for 
drinking water. Check for any fragile natural areas (e.g., the 
habitat of an endangered species; wetlands) that may be affected 
by contaminants from the site. 

(iii) Hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants in 
drums, barrels, tanks, or other bulk storage containers, that 
may pose a threat of release; 

Determine how structurally secure containers are. Look 
for any signs of weathering or structural instability. Based on 
the condition of any containers and the quantity of material 
present, determine whether an uncontrolled release is an 
imminent threat. 

(iv) High levels of hazardous substances or pollutants or 
contaminants in soils largely at or near the surface, that may 
migrate; 

Look for visible discoloration of the soil and for 
standing pools of discolored liquid. Look for any dead or dying 
vegetation; it may imply the presence of soil contamination that 
is not visible. Determine the direction of runoff. 

(v) Weather conditions that may cause hazardous substances or 
pollutants or contaminants to migrate or be released; 

Determine whether precipitation can initiate a release (e.g., 
a lagoon overflow) or cause contaminants already released to 
migrate. Check for any containers that are exposed to the 
weather, which facilitates structural deterioration. 




15 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


15 


(vi) Threat of fire or explosion; 

Check for any flammable/explosive substances that may be 
present, including any initially stable substances that may have 
deteriorated to the point of being explosively unstable. Check 
for the presence of strong oxidizers. Determine whether any 
incompatible substances are stored together. Examine the 
history of the site for incidences of accidental fire, explosion, or 
arson. 

(vii) The availability of other appropriate federal or state response 
mechanisms to respond to the release; 

Ascertain whether other federal or state agencies can 
provide resources to mitigate the release or threat of release. 

(viii) Other situations or factors that may pose threats to public 
health or welfare or the environment. 

Be alert for any other condition, in addition to the ones 
specifically given in the NCP criteria, that may pose an 
imminent threat. 

Conducting a Removal Preliminary Assessment and Site 
Inspection 

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT 

Before site entry, the investigation team should gather and review 
information about site activities and the chemicals used and/or 
generated so that hazards can be evaluated to the extent possible and 
preliminary controls established to protect initial entry personnel. This 
preliminary evaluation should provide the following information: 

• The location and approximate size of the site. 

• The site history, especially waste disposal history. 

• A description of the topography of the site, the number and types 
of structures present, and routes of accessibilty. Natural wind 
barriers such as buildings, hills, and storage tanks should also be 
identified, as well as how land surrounding the site is used. 




16 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


16 


• Descriptions of the hazardous substances known or suspected to be 
on site, their chemical and physical properties and associated risks. 
• An estimation of the types of changes that may have 

occurred on site as the result of aging, weathering, 
fire/explosion, and so forth. Changes include structural 
damage to buildings and containers, as well as chemical 
alteration of hazardous substances present. Any such 
changes may increase the risk to personnel entering the 
site. 

• Pathways for dispersion of hazardous substances from the site. 
Potential pathways include the air, such biologic routes as the food 
chain, groundwater, surface water, and direct contact. Adjacent 
properties and the sensitivity of the surrounding environment 
should be considered. 

• A description of the response activities or other tasks to be 
performed on site and an estimate of their duration. 

Information can be obtained through a search of state and federal 
regulatory and enforcement records (including previously gathered U.S. 
EPA removal and remedial data and information from other EPA 
programs such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
(NPDES) System for water), local government records, the potentially 
responsible party’s records (logbooks, shipping manifests, ledgers, 
etc.), interviews with adjacent property owners and previous site 
workers, and perimeter reconnaissance. If the preliminary off-site 
evaluation does not produce sufficient information to identify and 
quantify the suspected hazards, an initial site entry and characterization 
are performed. 

SITE INVESTIGATION 

During the site investigation, entry personnel should monitor the 
air for conditions that are immediately dangerous to life and health 
(IDLH) or that may cause serious harm. Such conditions include 
combustible or explosive atmospheres, oxygen deficiency, and the 
presence of airborne toxic substances that pose a high threat through 
skin absorption and/or inhalation. To supplement air monitoring, 
personnel should look on site for indicators of IDLH conditions. 
Indicators include dead animals, stressed vegetation, and bulging, 




17 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


17 


presence of something on site that may imply the presence of a hidden 
hazard; for example, the edge of one rusty drum protruding through a 
tangle of vines could indicate that the vines are covering a pile of 
drums. Personnel should also monitor for ionizing radiation and note 
any slip, trip, and/or fall hazards. Once the hazards on site have been 
evaluated and the initial safety plan revised accordingly, periodic 
monitoring should occur to ensure the safety of site workers during the 
remainder of the investigation. 

It is critical that the hazardous materials on site be identified 
exactly to assure safe and effective field operations. Several basic clues 
to identification of hazardous materials include: 

• Container shape and size. Distinctive container shapes are used for 
certain types of substances, so basic clues to the identity of a 
hazardous material can be gathered from the container in which it is 
stored. Refer to Appendix 4 for silhouettes of some containers used 
in the transportation, storage, and use of hazardous materials. 

• Markings, placards, and labels. Identifying markings, placards, and 
labels, along with container shape and size, are the safest and easiest 
methods for determining the presence of hazardous materials. The 
DOT requires placards on containers used to transport 1000 pounds 
or more of most hazardous substances across state lines; the DOT 
requires placards for any amount of some particularly hazardous 
substances. The DOT Code of Federal Regulation, 49 CFR, gives 
the requirements for labeling and placarding hazardous materials 
within the United States. There is also a marking system 
administered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for 
fixed facility storage tanks. Refer to Appendix 5 for additional 
information on U.S. DOT and NFPA placards and labels. 

NOTE: Remember that containers may be unlabeled or even 

mislabeled, either intentionally or through error. Exercise 
extreme caution until the presence or absence of a 
hazardous substance has been confirmed. 




18 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


18 


• Senses. The senses of sight, hearing, and smell can aid in the 
identification of hazardous materials. Sight and hearing are the 
safest senses to employ and are very valuable resources in 
determining the presence of hazardous materials. The sense of 
smell is potentially dangerous. Some materials are toxic at 
concentrations too low to be detected by smell, and other materials 
induce olefactory fatigue, so workers cannot distinguish increased 
concentrations. Generally, standard operating procedures state that 
if a worker is close enough to smell a substance, the worker is too 
close. 

Qualitative Hazard Recognition 

Qualitative hazard recognition, the realization that a hazard actually 
exists on site, is the most crucial part of a removal site investigation. 
This section contains a general checklist of questions, pertinent to every 
site, to provide guidance in qualitative hazard recognition. Following 
the general checklist is a series of drawings of specific conditions that 
may not occur at every site. When they do occur, these conditions 
require a thorough evaluation, so a detailed checklist follows each 
drawing. This section concludes with a modified map of an actual site. 
A checklist follows the site map. 

Use of the general checklist should give each project manager or 
inspector an idea of whether a removal may be warranted and provide 
background information about the site. The checklists associated with 
the drawings should be used in making a more detailed assessment of 
specific hazards. 

The purpose of each checklist is to direct the thinking of site 
investigators; the checklists are guides, not all encompassing field 
lists that address every condition that may be encountered. 




19 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


19 


General Hazard Recognition Checklist for Each Site 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 

1. Note any indicators of potential exposure to hazardous 
substances: 

• Dead fish, animals or vegetation. 

• Dust or spray in the air. 

• Fissures or cracks in solid surfaces that expose deep waste 
layers. 

• Pools of liquid. 

• Foams or oils on liquid surfaces. 

• Gas generation or effervescence. 

• Deteriorating containers. 

• Cleared land areas or possible landfilled areas. See detailed 
checklist on page 29. 

• Anything that appears unusual, out of the ordinary, for whatever 
reason. 

2. Note the types of containers, impoundments, or other storage 

systems: 

• Paper or wooden packages. 

• Metal (stainless steel, lead, etc.) or plastic barrels or drums, 
concrete storage containers. The composition of the container 
can be a clue to the contents. 

• Underground tanks. 

• Aboveground tanks. 

• Compressed gas cylinders. 

• Pits, ponds, or lagoons. 

• Other. 

• See detailed checklist on page 24, 27, 32, and 34. 

3. Note the condition of waste containers and storage systems: 

• Structural soundness. 

• Visibly rusted or corroded. 

• Leaking or bulging. 

• Types and quantities of materials in container(s). 




20 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


20 


• Types and quantities of materials in container(s). 

• Container labels indicating corrosive, explosive, flammable, 
radioactive, toxic, or biologically pathogenic material. 

• Presence or absence of secondary containment, such as a berm. 

4. Note the physical condition of materials on site: 

• Physical state: gas, liquid, or solid. 

• Color and turbidity. 

• Behavior, e.g., corroding, foaming, or vaporizing. 

• Conditions conducive to splash or contact. 

5. Identify features of the land and natural wind barriers: 

• Buildings, large aboveground storage tanks. 

• Hills. 

• Rows of trees. 

6. Determine the potential pathways of dispersion: 

• Air. 

• Surface water. 

• Groundwater. 

• Land surface (direct contact). 

• Biologic routes such as plants and animals affecting the food 
chain. 

7. Note any safety hazards. Consider: 

• Condition of site structures. 

• Obstacles to entry and exit. 

• Homogeneity of the terrain. 

• Stability of the terrain. 

• Stability of stacked material. 

8. Identify any reactive, incompatible, flammable, or highly 
corrosive wastes. How are they stored? 




21 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


21 


9. Note the presence of any naturally occurring potential skin 
irritants or dermatitis-inducing agents or of any potentially 
hazardous animals. For example: 

• Poison ivy, poison oak, and/or poison sumac. 

• Poisonous snakes. 

• Stray dogs. 

10. Note any tags, labels, markings, or other identifying indicators. 

11. If warranted, use one or more of the following investigative 
techniques to locate buried wastes or contaminant plumes: 

• Electromagnetic resistivity. 

• Seismic refraction. 

• Magnetometry. 

• Metal detection. 

• Ground-penetrating radar. 

12. Collect samples from: 

• Air. 

• Drainage ditches. 

• Soil (surface and subsurface). 

• Standing pools of liquids. 

• Storage containers. 

• Streams and ponds (upgradient, at suspected source, and 
downgradient). 

• Groundwater (upgradient, beneath site, downgradient). 

13. Sample for or otherwise identify: 

• Biologic or pathologic hazards. 

• Radiologic hazards. 




22 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


22 



- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 


1. Damaged Structure 

• Unstable structures may pose physical hazards. 

• Debris increases the risk of slip, trip, fall hazards. 

• Fire often causes friable asbestos to become airborne. 

• Smoke from even simple structure fires may contain many toxic 
chemicals. 

2. Contaminated Runoff 

• Runoff of water used to treat a fire will often be contaminated 
with chemicals released during the incident. 

• The water may cause adverse reactions with reactive or unstable 
chemicals. 

• The water may also be contaminated with combustion 
byproducts of chemicals stored or used at the facility. 




















































23 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


23 


3. Drum Storage 

• Determine whether the drums have been impacted by either the 
fire, water, or chemical foam. 

• Do the drums seem stable or stressed by heat or pressure? 

• Can any special hazards be noted from visible label information? 

• Note any physical damage caused by heavy equipment. 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of chemicals 
expected to be present. 

4. Bulk Storage 

• Determine whether the containers have been affected by either 
the fire, water, or chemical foam. 

• Do the containers seem stable or stressed by heat or pressure? 

• Are the pressure relief systems intact and actively venting? 

• Are primary and secondary containment structures available and 
stable? 

• Research the toxic and physical properties of chemicals expected 
to be present. 

5. Drains 

• Look for storm, sanitary sewer, and process water drains in the 
area. 

• Are drain outfalls directed to a stream, river, or other sensitive 
area? 

• Are drains connected to sump pits or other potential containment 
areas? 

• Can drains be utilized for containment or blocked for protection 
if necessary? 




24 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


24 


Hazard Recognition- Drum Site 



Drum Site Checklist 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 

1. Unknown Drums 

• Do not make assumptions regarding the safety of drum contents 
until positive identification can be made; labels may not reflect 
the actual drum contents. 

• Shaking drums to determine whether empty or not can initiate 
adverse reaction. 

• Seemingly empty drums can still contain toxic residues. 

• Determine materials drums are made of, e.g., fiber, stainless 
steel, aluminum, poly, lead. These materials may give clues to 
the nature of the contents and the associated hazards. 

• Drums containing incompatible substances may be found 
together. If the drums are leaking, they may pose a 
fire/explosion threat. 



























































25 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


25 


2. Vapor Release 

• Not all vapors are visible. Look near bung holes for air 
movement similar to heat waves. 

• Respiratory protection is critical to cover inhalation and 
ingestion exposure routes. 

• Determine if vapors can be confined and concentrated due to the 
nature of the surrounding area or structures. 

3. Bulging Drum 

• Determine if bulging is caused by pressure buildup or thermal 
expansion/contraction. 

• Bulging drums should never be opened by hand. A remote 
drum punch can open the drum and relieve the pressure. 

4. Leaking Drum 

• Contain leakage in place or block off any drains. 

• Use pH paper to determine if the leaking material is corrosive. 

• Any visibly stressed vegetation may indicate toxicity. 

• If a smoking, fuming, or bubbling reaction is evident, it may 
indicate reactivity. 

5. Drum Tiers 

• Uneven stacking or corroded pallets/drums can present a 
physical hazard. 

• Leaking drums on an upper tier can present a chemical hazard 
above the worker’s head. 

• Wooden pallets do not constitute a chemical barrier to prevent 
leaks from mixing and can pose a fire hazard in the presence of 
oxidizers. 

6. Tipped Drum 

• If a tipped drum is leaking from the bung, setting the drum 
upright or rolling it so the bung is upright can eliminate the 
problem. 

• A leak underneath the drum may not be visible; look for clues 
such as discolored soil and stressed vegetation. 





26 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


26 


7. Buried Drums 

• An uneven or disturbed soil surface may indicate buried objects. 

• Drum heads often rise and break through the soil surface after 
burial. 

• Caution should be exercised when using heavy equipment in 
areas that have or are suspected to have buried drums. 

• An excavated drum may not be structurally sound due to 
container deterioration. 

• Data obtained from soil gas testing, magnetometer surveys, and 
x-ray fluorescence may indicate the presence of buried drums. 

8. Packed Drums 

• Do not assume that inner drums in a tightly packed area of 
drums contain the same chemical as the accessible drums, or 
that the contents are compatible. 

• Large amounts of chemicals can pool beneath and between the 
packed drums. 

• It can be extremely difficult to identify and handle, or even to 
reach, a leaking or fuming drum within the pack. 




27 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


27 


Hazard Recognition- Lagoon 


7 



Lagoon Checklist 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 


1. Lagoon 

• Document whether the lagoon is permitted or unpermitted. 

• Determine the toxic and physical properties of the chemicals 
present in the lagoon. 

• Note any stained soil or dead/dying vegetation in the area of the 
lagoon. 

• Monitor for any air emissions in the vicinity of the lagoon. 

• Characterize all layers of the lagoon - both liquid and solid 
layers. 

• Check records for previous monitoring analysis of the lagoon 
contents. 

• Research the hydrogeology of the area and the location of the 
water table with respect to the lagoon. 



























































































28 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


28 


2. Containment Structure 

• Note the stability of the berm construction. 

• Document whether secondary containment is available in the 
event of failure. 

• Document any seepage through the berm. 

• Check whether the containment structure is adequately 
engineered to withstand normal stresses and strains. 

3. Liner 

• Check for a lagoon liner. 

• Determine whether the construction materials of the liner are 
compatible with the contents of the lagoon. 

• If possible, determine whether the liner was installed by 
professionals. 

4. Leachate 

• Determine what types of chemicals can be expected to leach 
from the lagoon. Determine whether direct contact is a threat 
with any surface leachate seeps. 

• Determine whether surface seeps affect any surface waters, and 
whether a leachate pathway to a local aquifer is available. 

5. Drainage 

• Identify all sources of drainage into the lagoon. 

• Identify all sources of drainage out of the lagoon. 

• Determine whether the lagoon liquid level rises or falls at 
unexpected times. 

• Determine whether sufficient freeboard is available to prevent 
overflow of the lagoon under heavy precipitation. 

6. Access Control 

• Access should be restricted by a fence or other barrier. 

• Look for any evidence of trespassers around the lagoon. 

• Look for evidence of children playing in the vicinity of the 
lagoon. 




29 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


29 



Hazard Recognition- Landfill 


Landfill Checklist 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 

1. Landfill 

• Document whether the landfill is permitted or unpermitted. 

• If permitted, document materials that are allowed. 

• Document the history of disposal practices. 

• Determine whether the landfill is lined or unlined. 

• Look for evidence of illegal dumping or of dumping that is 
inconsistent with accepted practices. 

• Research the hydrogeology of the area and the location of the 
water table with respect to the landfill. 

• Research the toxic and physical properties of the chemicals 
present. 



































































































































































30 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


30 


2. Staging Area 

• Check for the presence of hazardous materials that are staged 
for disposal. 

• Look for such surface contamination as stained soil or 
dead/dying vegetation in the staging area. 

• Document whether access to the staging area is restricted by 
fencing or other barriers. 

3. Leachate 

• Determine the types of chemicals that can be expected to leach 
out of the landfill. 

• Identify any pathways for leachate to local aquifers. 

• Determine whether any surface leachate seeps pose a direct 
contact threat. 

• Look for surface seeps that may affect surface waters. 

4. Wells 

• Document any monitoring wells in the area. 

• Note any drinking water wells in the area. 

• Research any sample information (both past and present) that 
may be available for nearby wells. 

• Determine whether the state has more stringent or less stringent 
water quality criteria than does EPA. 

5. Community Access 

• Look for evidence of trespassers onto the landfill. 

• Look for children’s play areas in the migration pathways of 
leachate. 

• Find out if the community is aware of any actual or potential 
hazards posed by the landfill. 

• Determine whether access to the landfill can be sufficiently 
restricted using signs or barriers. 




31 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


31 


6. Air Emissions 

• Determine whether air emissions are controlled at the landfill. 

• Check for emissions that can be detected with monitoring 
instruments. 

• Determine whether prevailing winds carry contaminants into 
sensitive populations or environments. 




32 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


32 



Chemical Storage Checklist 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 

1. Transfer Points 

• Determine whether bulk chemical transfer was performed on a 
concrete pad or over soil/gravel. 

• Look for any stained soil and stressed vegetation. 

• Was vehicle decontamination performed? How were 
decontamination agents disposed of? 

• Note the condition of pipes/hoses, fittings, valves, and joints. 

2. Containers 

• Determine whether containers are filled or empty. 

• Is the container structure compatible with the stored chemical, 
if the contents are known? 

• If the contents are unknown, do the composition and structure 
of each container give clues to the contents and their associated 
hazards? 




























33 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


33 


• Look for such indicators of structural instability as weak welds, 
bulging panels, missing rivets, and so forth. 

• Are access portals intact; can any leakage be observed? 

• Can the containers be expected to remain intact until remedition 
is complete? 

3. Chemical Types 

• Research the toxic and physical properties of the stored 
chemicals. 

• Do signs or markings on the containers provide clues to 
potential dangers? 

• Are incompatible chemicals stored adjacent to one another? 

• Do the stored chemicals have the potential to degrade into a 
more hazardous form? 

4. Secondary Containment 

• Calculate whether the containment volume is sufficient to hold 
the contents of the largest primary container plus freeboard. 

• Determine whether the containment structure is compatible with 
the chemicals present. 

• Is the containment structure totally enclosing, with four walls 
and a floor? 

• Look for any breaches, whether intentional or otherwise, present 
in the secondary containment structure. 

• Look for any drains present in the structure. 

5. Spill History 

• Determine whether spills were frequent during past operations. 

• Do past spills have the continuing potential to migrate off site? 

• Have spills compromised the structures of either the primary 
containers or the secondary containment structure? 

6. Drainage 

• Determine whether the secondary containment structure is 
designed to allow for drainage of rainwater. 

• Are drainage areas directed to sumps, to a treatment plant, or to 
the environment? 

• Can the drains be blocked or otherwise closed? 




34 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


34 



Laboratory Checklist 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 

1. Unknown Chemicals 

• Over time, chemicals can degrade into different, more 
hazardous forms. 

• Older labs may have used obsolete nomenclature, so labels and 
papers may be confusing. 

• Often, handwritten labels may be incorrect. 

• Packages may become unstable over time. 

• Incompatible chemicals may be stored in close proximity. 

• Instruments and tubing may still contain chemicals and chemical 
residues. 

2. Shock Sensitive Chemicals 

• Many chemicals, such as ethers, are peroxidizable and so can 
become explosively shock sensitive over time. 







































35 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


35 


• Shock sensitive chemicals can be detonated by falling off a shelf 
or by the shear force generated by turning the cap. Some 
chemicals can violently decompose spontaneously. 

• Many common lab chemicals such as picric acid can, over time, 
become shock sensitive. 

3. Cylinders 

• Cylinders can contain either liquids or gases. 

• They can be constructed for high pressure or low pressure use. 

• Color coding is manufacturer specific and is not common to the 
industry. 

• Cylinders can hold extremely toxic or corrosive materials. 

• They should only be examined and moved by experts. 

• Structural instability is not always visible from the exterior. 

4. Unknown Packages 

• Chemicals can be present in a variety of packaging, apart from 
the common flasks and glass bottles. 

• Acid carboys are sometimes shipped in cardboard boxes or 
wooden crates. 

• Radioactive materials can be shipped in metal flasks or small 
boxes. 

5. Drums 

• Laboratories occasionally maintain chemicals in larger 
containers, such as 55-gallon drums. 

• Larger volume chemicals would typically be caustic cleaners or 
solvents. 

• These drums commonly rest on their sides, incorporate spigots, 
and have a high potential for leakage. 

• Note the condition of the floor under any drums. 

6. Drains 

• Often, chemicals have been washed into floor drains. 

• Determine whether drains are connected to sump pits or other 
potential containment areas. 

• Pools of chemicals may accumulate in sumps. 




36 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


36 


• Incompatible chemicals may generate toxic gases in drains, 
sumps, or drain lines. 

• Outfalls for these drains should be examined for signs of 
contamination. 

• Are drain outfalls directed to a stream, river, or other sensitive 
area? 




37 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


37 



Industrial Facility Checklist 

- Key Points and Potential Hazards - 


1. Facility 

• Evaluate the structural stability of the building(s). 

• Document whether asbestos or nonasbestos insulation was used. 

• Document whether PCB or non-PCB transformers were used. 

• Document whether process units are filled or empty, pressurized 
or nonpressurized. 

• Note the presence of raw materials, byproducts, and wastes in 
addition to chemical products. 

• Obtain the history of operations, past disposal practices, and 
chemical spills. 












































































38 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


38 


2. Pipelines 

• Note the structural stability of interior pipe racks and exterior 
feed pipes. 

• Document whether asbestos or nonasbestos insulation was used. 

• Note the compatibility of chemicals and pipe construction 
materials. 

• Document whether pipelines or other types of tubing are filled 
or empty. 

• Note the condition of valves, fittings, joints and so forth. 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of chemicals 
known to be used at the facility. 

3. Bulk Storage Tanks 

• Evaluate the structural stability of the outer skin and document 
any signs of physical or chemical deterioration. 

• Document whether tanks are connected or disconnected to feed 
pipes. 

• Document whether tanks are pressurized or nonpressurized, 
insulated or noninsulated. 

• Note the condition of valves and fittings. 

• Note the presence of additional heating or cooling systems to 
keep contents at a steady state. 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of stored 
chemicals. 

4. Drum Storage 

• Note the age of drums. 

• Document whether drums are sheltered or exposed to the 
elements. 

• Look for any signs of deterioration or stress. 

• Look for any visible label or placard information. 

• Look for any visible stencilled or handwritten information. 

• The drum shape may potentially indicate the contents (i.e., acid 
carboy for corrosives or fiber drum for solids). 

• If drum is bulging, determine whether bulging is due to built-up 
pressure or to thermal expansion/contraction. 

• Document whether drums contain pure chemicals or waste 
materials. 




39 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


39 


• Look for any standing discolored water, stained soil, or stressed 
vegetation, any one of which may indicate spillage. 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of stored 
chemicals. 

5. Landfill 

• Determine whether the landfill is permitted or unpermitted. 

• If permitted, document the materials known to be present. 

• Research the past history of disposal practices. 

• Determine whether the landfill is lined or unlined. 

• Research the hydrogeology of the area and where the water table 
lies with respect to the landfill. 

• Are there any monitoring or drinking water wells in the area? 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of chemicals 
present. 

6. Underground Storage Tank 

• Note the age of tank. 

• Obtain the maintenance history. 

• Research the hydrogeology of the area; note the location of the 
water table. 

• Note the condition of exterior fittings. 

• Note any seepage in the surrounding area. 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of stored 
chemicals. 

• Document whether the tank is double lined or has cathodic 
corrosion protection. 

• Look for evidence of frequent overflows. 

7. Lagoon 

• Note the stability of berm construction. 

• Determine whether there is sufficient freeboard to avoid 
overflow. 

• Is the lagoon lined or unlined? 

• Research the toxicity and physical properties of chemicals 
present. 

• Research the hydrogeology of the area; where does the water 
table lie with respect to the lagoon. 




40 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


40 


• Is secondary containment available? 

• Note any standing discolored water, stained soil, or stressed 
vegetation in the area. 

• Note any seepage through the berm. 


What’s Wrong With This Picture? 

The map on page 42 is a modified version of a map of an actual 
removal site. Look at the map in terms of the hazard recognition 
checklists, pick out the hazards, then rank them according to degree of 
threat to the site investigation team. What immediate threats does the 
site pose to the environment and to the health and welfare of any 
residents nearby? What long-term hazards are at the site? What clues 
to the level of threat should the investigation team look for on site? 

BACKGROUND 

The All Cracked Up Battery Corp. smelted and refined lead 
extruded from used batteries to produce lead ingots. The facility 
operated for 10 years until it went bankrupt and was abandoned two 
years ago. 

All Cracked Up received spent batteries of all sizes and had them 
dumped on a concrete pad to drain the acid. Battery acid and 
contaminated runoff from the pad were collected in a sump and then 
directed into a hazardous waste lagoon. After the acid was drained, the 
batteries were transported from the dumping area to a hammermill, 
where they were crushed for materials separation and cleaning. 
Wastewater from the cleaning process was collected in a sump and 
directed to the lagoon. After separation of plastics and other 
unrecyclable materials, the metal component of the batteries was 
smelted then refined. Emissions from smelters were scrubbed using a 
lime slurry and liquid from the lagoon. Residue from the scrubbing 
process was placed in a landfill on site. Emissions from the smelters 
and refinery were also fed through a bag house. The fly ash generated 
from this process was stored in a building on site. The fly ash 
contained heavy metals in the three percent concentration range. 




41 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


41 


Crushed battery casings from the hammermill were left in piles 
throughout the portion of the site north of the operations building and 
in the hazardous waste landfill along the east boundary fence. Surface 
runoff from the piles of battery casings was collected in a sump and 
directed to the lagoon, resulting in the migration of small battery casing 
chips into the sumps, drainage lines, and the lagoon itself. 

The lagoon was treated with lime to neutralize its contents. Liquid 
from the lagoon passed into the water treatment plant, where it was 
treated with flocculants to remove heavy metals. The precipitates were 
disposed of in the landfill. The treated water was discharged into a 
nearby creek. 

A site inspection by state officials revealed the presence of a trench 
between the collection sump and a drainage ditch, which facilitated the 
bypassing of the lagoon during periods of heavy surface runoff. 
Battery casing chips were found throughout the course of the drainage 
ditch and the creek downstream of the site. 












































































































43 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


43 


Piles of battery casing chips 

• What types of residues can you expect to be on the chips? 

• Relate these residues to past industrial activities. 

• How hazardous are these residues? 

• Is there any evidence that residues on these chips are migrating 
from the piles, into the sumps, or off site? 

• How will extensive rainfall affect these piles? 

• Is there vegetation around the piles; if so, in what condition is it? 

• Is there any means by which persons could gain access to these 
piles, especially children? 

Drainage sumps and underground drainpipes 

• Runoff from the piles of battery casing chips flows to several 
drainage sumps and then into an underground drainpipe system. 
Is there standing water around the sumps? 

• If so, is the water discolored and/or cloudy? Perform a pH test 
using pH paper. 

• Are the drainpipes clogged? 

• Where can surface runoff be expected to pool? 

• Do winds generate excessive dusts in areas where water can 
collect? Dusts are most likely contaminated. 

Liquid waste storage tank 

• This container holds unknown waste material. 

• Is there secondary containment around the tank? If so, is it 
sufficient to hold the contents of the tank? 

• In what condition is the tank; is it corroded; does there appear to 
be structural instability? 

• Is there evidence that the tank leaks? 

• Is there stressed vegetation or discolored soil around the tank? 

• If there is standing water near the tank, test it with a strip of litmus 
paper. 

• Are there process lines to and from the tank? Perhaps they are 
underground. The lines may contain chemicals and chemical 
residues. 

• Apply the checklist beginning on page 32 to help determine the 
hazards posed by the storage tank. 





44 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


44 


Hazardous waste landfill 

• Is the landfill lined or unlined? 

• Is there evidence of leachate seepage? 

• If so, what color is the seepage; is it cloudy? 

• How does the seepage test with pH paper? 

• Is there access for liquids (precipitation) into the landfill? 

• Did the company dispose of hazardous liquids in the landfill? 

• Evaluate company records; remember that these may be 
deliberately incorrect. 

• Is the landfill secure? Be sure that curious persons, 
particularly children, can not gain access. 

• Use the checklist beginning on page 29 to help determine the 
hazards posed by the landfill. 

Drainage basin and hazardous waste lagoon 

• Are the drainage basin and lagoon each lined or unlined? 

• How much freeboard does each one have? 

• Are the process lines into each free of debris? 

• Is there evidence that one or both impoundments has overflowed 
in the past? 

• Is there standing water in the overflow trench? 

• If so, what does the water look like; how does it test with pH 
paper? 

• Are there battery casings in the overflow trench? 

• Apply the checklist on page 27 to the drainage basin and lagoon. 

Underground storage tank 

• Note the presence of seepage along the banks of the creek, which 
may be indicative of a release from the storage tanks. 

• Review company records. What type of fuel did the facility 
use? Where and how was it stored, transported and burned? 

• Refer to the discussion on page 37 about chemical production 
facilities for additional hazards posed by USTs. 




45 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


45 


Air scrubbers and flyash storage 

• Ensure that access to flyash storage is secure, particularly from 
curious children. 

• Evaluate all piping, process lines and machinery for residual 
materials. 

• Note the locations of drainage sumps and treatment tanks. 

• Do winds generate excessive dusts? Dusts are most likely 
contaminated. 

Abandoned tank cars 

• These should be treated like storage tanks containing unknown 
chemicals. 

• Look for any markings or placards on the outside of the cars that 
may indicate what they contain. 

• Refer to Appendix 1 for silhouettes of railcars in order to 
determine what they may contain, e.g., pressurized gas, corrosive 
materials, etc. 

• After identification, are incompatibles next to each other? 

• Are the cars structurally sound and uncorroded? 

• Do they appear to be leaking? Check ditches, puddles and culverts 
adjacent to tanks. Do they contain free-standing liquid? Test with 
pH paper. 

• Apply the checklist beginning on page 32 to the tank cars. 

Warehouse 

• Locate drainage sumps, process lines, and utilities. 

• Be aware of contaminated surfaces. 

• Spent/old machinery poses additional hazards, e.g., laceration. 

• Is the building properly ventilated? Be aware of confined 
space entry hazards. 

• Are materials stored in the warehouse? Identify materials if 
possible. 

• Are incompatibles stored next to each other? 

• Ensure that the building is structurally sound and that adequate 
lighting is available. 

• Watch for slip, trip, and fall hazards. 




46 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


46 


Refinery/Smelter 

• Ensure that the building and large equipment (kettles, cranes, 
hammermill) are structurally sound. 

• Locate process lines and utilities. 

• Most surfaces in this area will be contaminated. 

• It is likely that the atmosphere in this area is also contaminated. 
Watch for confined space entry hazards. 

• Watch for slip, trip and fall hazards. 

Service Building/Maintenance Area 

• Look for chemical hazards, e.g., cleaning agents, degreasers and 
associated solvents, stripping agents, lubricants, etc. 

• Check for storage of incompatible materials. 

• Old machinery is a potential source of injury. 

• Most surfaces in this area will be contaminated. 

• Note the presence of gas cyclinders. 

• There may be a fire and explosion threat, particularly in areas with 
low ceilings and confined spaces. 

Facility 

• Thoroughly evaluate company records to be sure of industrial 
processes and all materials involved. 

• Because this facility was involved in metals analysis and recycling, 
it is possible that industrial radiography may have been used. 
Look for radiation symbols; scan with rad meter if possible. 

• How structurally sound is the building? 

• What is the condition of the transformer room? Is there evidence 
of spilled oil which could contain PCBs? 

• What is the condition of the lab? Apply the checklist beginning on 
page 34 to the lab. 

• How secure is the facility? Is there any evidence of entrance to the 
facility, e.g., vandalism, children playing? 

Topographies 

• Is the site upgradient or downgradient to established surface 
water flow patterns? 

• Does surface water flow through the site? 




47 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


47 


• Consult a hydrologist for groundwater concerns. 

• Are there waterways nearby which may be affected? 

Demographics 

• What is the prinicipal use of the land immediately adjacent to the 
site? 

• How close is the nearest residence? 

• Is there a possibility for off-site migration of contaminants to 
residential property? 

• Are there any sensitive populations nearby, particularly children 
and the elderly? 

• Does this site have the potential to affect the water supply of 
nearby residents? 

• Are there any heavy use areas nearby, e.g., schools, industry, 
hospitals, shopping centers, farming, recreational areas, 
convalescent homes? 

• Is there any other local industry which may have contributed to 
problems with this site? 


After thoroughly evaluating all known aspects of the site, it is 
necessary to make a preliminary judgment about the degree of 
threat posed by this facility. At many sites, the conclusion will 
often be that the facility does pose a threat, but the threat should 
be thoroughly characterized to determine whether the site qualifies 
as a candidate for an immediate action, or if the site is secure 
enough to wait for a long-term cleanup. Assistance in these 
decisions can be provided by review of the NCP. If the All 
Cracked Up Battery Site, or another site, meets any of the criteria 
in the NCP for a removal action, then site conditions may be 
considered an emergency situation. Emergency situations do not 
always involve the classic fire and explosion, or oil spill. 
Frequently, emergency actions involve the stabilization of time 
critical threats until the non-time critical threats associated with the 
site can be addressed. Further assistance in emergency 
determination for a facility such as the one pictured here can be 
obtained through consultation with any of the Section Chiefs and 
On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) in the Removal Branch. 





48 


REMOVAL ASSESSMENT 


48 


Additional Guidance Documents 

EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1990. "Superfund 
Removal Procedures Manual," OSWER Directive 9360.3-01. Office 
of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Washington, DC. 
December. 

EPA. 1992. "Guidance for Performing Site Inspections Under 
CERCLA." Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. 
Washington, DC. September. 

EPA. 1991. "Removal Program Representative Sampling Guidance," 
Volume 1-Soil, PB892-963408. Office of Emergency and Remedial 
Response. Washington, DC. November. 




Emergency Removal 
Guidelines 


To help resolve incongruities in the screening process for 
determination of the necessity for removal actions, the EPA Region III 
Technical Support Section has developed the following list of 
emergency removal trigger guidelines. This list was designed for use 
only as a screening tool to aid RPMs and OSCs in the characterization 
of emergency threats associated with uncontrolled hazardous waste 
sites. This list is by no means intended to be the sole foundation for 
cleanup decisions. Rather, it is meant to function as just one of many 
sources of information that the decision maker should rely upon. Users 
of earlier editions of this handbook will note that the guidelines have 
been considerably revised, due to changes in the model used to generate 
the numeric values. 

Toxicological values are listed in this table as absolute 
concentrations. That is, no calculations or manipulations of these 
values are necessary to use this list. To use this list, simply compare 
data from sampling analyses to concentrations on the list. If the results 
of an analysis are slightly below, equal to, or above the values listed 
in the table, then there is a possibility that an emergency health threat 
may be present at that particular site. In any situation involving the 
possibility of an emergency health threat, an EPA toxicologist should 
be consulted. 






50 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


50 


The toxicological values on this list were obtained through 
extensive research and evaluation of toxicological data bases, compiled 
through toxicity testing of the compounds, epidemiological studies, 
actual exposure incidences (i.e., workplace exposure, suicide attempts, 
accidental poisonings), and past experiences of the agency. Values 
derived from this broad range of investigative methods undergo review 
and verification before they are permitted to be published. This list, 
therefore, represents the most recent advances in toxicological 
determination and risk assessment. 

We must emphasize, however, that this list has not 
undergone extensive peer review. It is intended for internal use 
only and should not be considered as EPA policy. Field personnel 
should use caution when referring to this list in any way that may 
imply EPA’s endorsement of these values. 


Assumptions Used in Calculating the Reference Levels 

As the toxicology section of this guide explains, there is 
biological variation in all human populations, causing variation in the 
individual response to a particular dose of a toxin. Therefore, even 
though the response of the total population is predictable, the response 
of any one person within the exposed population is unpredictable. 
Certain assumptions about biological variation must be made to develop 
response models to assess risk and to predict response. The following 
assumptions are the basis of the model used to develop the reference 
values that begin on page 54: 

• Carcinogen levels correspond to an upper bound lifetime risk of 1 x 
10 4 . Noncarcinogen levels correspond to a hazard quotient of 10. 
The hazard quotient for drinking water is 1. 

• Exposure comes from a single medium, except in the case of 
drinking water. In this case, concentrations are based on both intake 
of drinking water and inhalation of vapors, where appropriate. 

• Exposure to residents continues for 30 years, but toxic effects from 
noncarcinogens may occur in as little as one year. 




51 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


51 


• For calculation purposes, adults weigh 70 kilograms and children 
weigh 15 kilograms; the life span is 70 years. 

• Soil levels include only ingestion exposure; they omit inhalation and 
dermal contact. 

• The amount of drinking water ingested is 2 liters per day. Com¬ 
pounds with Henry’s Law constants greater than 10 4 atm m 3 /mol are 
substantially volatilized during household tap water use. Each ug/1 
in water produces an indoor air concentration of 0.5 ug/m 3 . 

• Residential soil exposure for adults is based on consumption of 100 
milligrams of soil per day, for 30 years. Consumption by children 
is 200 milligrams per day for 6 years. 

• Industrial soil exposure is based on consumption of 100 milligrams 
of soil per day, 250 days per year, for 25 years. 

• Adults inhale 20 cubic meters of air per day. 

• Fish ingestion is 54 grams per day. 

• These criteria are based on long-term exposure periods. Exposure 
to higher doses of toxic materials may produce adverse effects within 
a much shorter time frame, i.e., within days or weeks. 

NOTE: When the numerical values were generated from the model, 
no attempt was made to stop a calculation greater than the total 
concentration. This means, for example, that if a compound has a 
worker soil ingestion value over 1 million mg/kg (1 million parts per 
million), then from an emergency perspective the compound does not 
pose a toxic threat to workers via soil ingestion. Values over the total 
concentration are useful in comparing the relative toxicity of several 
compounds, so they were kept in place. 

NOTE: The Risk-Based Concentration (RBC) Table is updated 
annually. Use the latest version of the RBC Table in calculating 
emergency removal guidelines. 




52 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


52 


Following the list of emergency removal trigger guidelines is 
the list of removal numeric action levels for contaminated drinking 
water sites. This list was prepared by the U.S. EPA Office of Solid 
Waste and Emergency Response, Emergency Response Division and 
released in March 1995. The list reflects EPA and oral toxicity data 
and associated health criteria available for the listed chemicals. The 
toxicity data has been obtained from EPA’s Integrated Risk Information 
System (IRIS), and EPA’s Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables 
(HEAST). 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 

1997 

Technical Support Section 

Region III (3HW41) 

841 Chestnut Street 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 

Exposure Variables 

Value 

1 - General: 

Carcinogenic potency slope oral (kg-d/mg): 

* 

Carcinogenic potency slope inhaled (kg-d/mg): 

* 

Reference dose oral (mg/kg/d): 

* 

Reference dose inhaled (mg/kg/d): 

* 

Target cancer risk: 

IE-04 

Target hazard quotient: 

10 

Body weight, adult (kg): 

70 

Body weight, age 1 - 6 (kg): 

15 

Averaging time carcinogens (d): 

25550 

Averaging time non-carcinogens (d): 

ED*365 

Air inhaled, adult (m 3 /d): 

20 

Air inhaled, age 1 - 6 (m 3 /d): 

12 
























EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


53 


53 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 

1997 

Technical Support Section 

Region III (3HW41) 

841 Chestnut Street 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 

Exposure Variables 

Value 

Inhalation factor, age adjusted (m 3 -y/kg-d): 

11.66 

Tap water ingested, adult (L/d): 

2 

Tap water ingested, age 1 - 6 (L/d): 

1 

Tap water ingestion factor, age adjusted (L-y/kg-d): 

1.09 

Fish ingested (g/d): 

54 

Soil ingested, adult (mg/d): 

100 

Soil ingested, age 1 - 6 (md/d): 

200 

Soil ingestion factor, age adjusted (mg-y/kg-d): 

114.29 

2 - Residential: 

Exposure frequency (d/y): 

350 

Exposure duration, (total)(y): 

30 

Exposure duration, age 1 - 6 (y): 

6 

Volatilization factor (L/m 3 ): 

0.5 

3 - Occupational: 

Exposure frequency (d/y): 

250 

Exposure duration (y): 

25 

Fraction of contaminated soil ingested (unidess): 

0.5 

* = Contaminant-specific toxicity parameters 





























54 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


54 




C- carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 


. 


Ambient 


Soil 

• 

Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residentia 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Acephate 

770 C 

72 C 

36 C 

66000 C 

7300 C • 

Acetaldehyde 

94 N 

81 C 

0 

0 

o 

Acetochlor 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Acetone 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

2000000 N 

78000 N 

Acetone cyanohydrin 

2600 N 

1500 N 

950 N 

1400000 N 

55000 N ! 

Acetonitrile 

220 N 

520 N 

81 N 

120000 N 

4700 N | 

Acetophenone 

0.042 N 

0.21 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N | 

Acifluorfen 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Acrolein 

730 N 

0.21 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Acrylamide 

1.5 C 

0.14 C 

0.07 C 

130 C 

14 C 

Acrylic acid 

18000 N 

10 N 

6800 N 

1000000 N 

390000 N 

Acrylonitrile 

12 C 

2.6 C 

0.58 C 

1100 C 

120 C 

Alachlor 

84 C 

7.8 C 

3.9 C 

7200 C 

800 C 

Alar 

5500 N 

5500 N 

2000 N 

1000000 N 

120000 N 

Aldicarb 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Aldicarb sulfone 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Aldrin 

0.4 C 

0.037 C 

0.019 C 

34 C 

3.8 C 

Ally 

9100 N 

9100 N 

3400 N 

1000000 N 

200000 N 

Allyl alcohol 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Allyl chloride 

1800 N 

10 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Aluminum 

37000 N 

37000 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Aluminum phosphide 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

Amdro 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Ametryn 

330 N 

330 N 

120 N 

180000 N 

7000 N 

m Aminophenol 

2600 N 

2600 N 

950 N 

1000000 N 

55000 N 

4-Aminopyridine 

0.73 N 

0.73 N 

0.27 N 

410 N 

16 N 

Amitraz 

91 N 

91 N 

34 N 

51000 N 

2000 N 

Ammonia 

1000 N 

1000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Ammonium sulfamate 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Aniline 

10 N 

10 N 

55 C 

100000 C 

11000 C 

Antimony and compounds 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

Antimony pentoxide 

18 N 

18 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

Antimony potassium tartrate 

33 N 

33 N 

12 N 

18000 N 

700 N 

Antimony tetroxide 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

Antimony trioxide 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

Apollo 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Aramite 

270 C 

25 C 

13 C 

23000 C 

2600 C 































55 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


55 




C- carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Arsenic 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Arsenic (as carcinogen) 

4.5 C 

0.041 C 

0.21 C 

380 C 

43 C 

Arsine 

0.52 N 

0.52 N 

0 

0 

0 

Assure 

330 N 

330 N 

120 N 

180000 N 

7000 N 

Asulam 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Atrazine 

30 C 

2.8 C 

1.4 C 

2600 C 

290 C 

Avermectin B1 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

Azobenzene 

61 C 

5.8 C 

2.9 C 

5200 C 

580 C 

Barium and compounds 

2600 N 

5.2 N 

950 N 

1000000 N 

55000 N 

Baygon 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

Bayleton 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Baythroid 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Benefin 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Benomyl 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Bentazon 

91 N 

91 N 

34 N 

51000 N 

2000 N 

Benzaldehyde 

610 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Benzene 

36 C 

22 C 

11 C 

20000 C 

2200 C 

Benzenethiol 

0.37 N 

0.37 N 

0.14 N 

200 N 

7.8 N 

Benzidine 

0.029 C 

0.0027 C 

0.0014 C 

2.5 C 

0.28 C 

Benzoic acid 

150000 N 

150000 N 

54000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Benzotrichloride 

0.52 C 

0.048 C 

0.024 C 

44 C 

4.9 C 

Benzyl alcohol 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Benzyl chloride 

6.2 C 

3.7 C 

1.9 C 

3400 C 

380 C 

Beryllium and compounds 

1.6 C 

0.075 C 

0.073 C 

130 C 

15 C 

Bidrin 

3.7 N 

3.7 N 

1.4 N 

2000 N 

78 N 

Biphenthrin (Talstar) 

550 N 

550 N 

200 N 

310000 N 

12000 N 

1,1 Biphenyl 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Bis(2chloroethyl)ether 

0.92 C 

0.54 C 

0.29 C 

520 C 

58 C 

Bis(2-chloroisopropyl)ether 

26 C 

18 C 

4.5 C 

8200 C 

910 C 

Bis(chloromethyl)ether 

0.0049 C 

0.0029 C 

0.0014 C 

2.6 C 

0.29 C 

Bis(2-chloro-1 -methylethyDether 

96 C 

8.9 C 

4.5 C 

8200 C 

910 C 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 

480 C 

45 C 

23 C 

41000 C 

4600 C 

Bisphenol A 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Boron (and borates) 

3300 N 

210 N 

1200 N 

1000000 N 

70000 N 

Boron trifluoride 

7.3 N 

7.3 N 

0 

0 

0 

Bromodichloromethane 

17 C 

10 C 

5.1 C 

9200 C 

1000 C 

Bromoethene 

9.6 C 

5.7 C 

0 

0 

0 

























56 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


56 




C-carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 

u 


Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Bromoform (tribromomethane) 

240 C 

160 C 

40 C 

72000 C 

8100 C, 

Bromomethane 

8.7 N 

52 N 

19 N 

29000 N 

1100 N 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether 

2100 N 

2100 N 

780 N 

1000000 N 

45000 N 

Bromophos 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Bromoxynil 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Bromoxynil octanoate 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

1,3-Butadiene 

1.1 C 

0.64 C 

0 

0 

0 

1-Butanol 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Butylate 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

sec Butylbenzene 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

tert-Butylbenzene 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Butylphthalyl butylglycolate 

37000 N 

37000 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Cacodylic acid 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Cadmium and compounds 

18 N 

0.099 C 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

Caprolactam 

18000 N 

18000 N 

6800 N 

1000000 N 

390000 N 

Captafol 

780 C 

73 C 

37 C 

67000 C 

74 C 

Captan 

1900 C 

180 C 

90 C 

160000 C 

18000 C 

Carbaryl 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Carbofuran 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Carbon disulfide 

1000 N 

7300 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Carbon tetrachloride 

16 C 

12 C 

2.4 C 

4400 C 

490 C 

Carbosulfan 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Carboxin 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Chloral 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Chloramben 

550 N 

550 N 

200 N 

310000 N 

12000 N 

Chloranil 

17 C 

1.6 C 

0.78 C 

1400 C 

160 C 

Chlordane 

5.2 C 

0.49 C 

0.24 C 

440 C 

49 C 

Chlorimuron ethyl 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Chlorine 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Chlorine dioxide 

2.1 N 

2.1 N 

0 

0 

0 

Chloroacetaldehyde 

250 N 

250 N 

93 N 

140000 N 

5400 N 

Chloroacetic acid 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

2-Chloroacetophenone 

0.31 N 

0.31 N 

0 

0 

0 

4-Chloroaniline 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

Chlorobenzene 

39 N 

210 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Chlorobenzilate 

25 C 

2.3 C 

1.2 C 

2100 C 

240 C 


























57 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


57 




C- carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

p-Chlorobenzoic acid 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

4-Chlorobenzotrifluoride 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

2-Chloro- 1,3-butadiene 

14 N 

73 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

1-Chlorobutane 

2400 N 

15000 N 

5400 N 

1000000 N 

310000 N 

Chlorodibromomethane 

13 C 

7.5 C 

3.8 C 

6800 C 

760 C 

1 Chloro-1,1 difluoroethane 

87000 N 

520000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Chlorodifluoromethane 

87000 N 

520000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Chloroethane 

8600 N 

100000 N 

5400 N 

1000000 N 

310000 N 

2-Chloroethyl vinyl ether 

150 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Chloroform 

15 C 

7.8 C 

52 C 

94000 C 

7800 N 

Chloromethane 

140 C 

99 C 

24 C 

44000 C 

4900 C 

4-Chloro-2,2methylaniline hydrochloride 

15 C 

1.4 C 

0.69 C 

1200 C 

140 C 

4-Chloro-2-methylaniline 

12 C 

1.1 C 

0.54 C 

990 C 

110 C 

beta-Chloronaphthalene 

2900 N 

2900 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

o-Chloronitrobenzene 

42 C 

25 C 

13 C 

23000 C 

2600 C 

p-Chloronitrobenzene 

59 C 

35 C 

18 C 

32000 C 

3500 C 

2-Chlorophenol 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

2-Chloropropane 

170 N 

1000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Chlorothalonil 

610 C 

57 C 

29 C 

52000 C 

5800 C 

o-Chlorotoluene 

120 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Chlorpropham 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Chlorpyrifos 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Chlorpyrifosmethyl 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Chlorsulfuron 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Chlorthiophos 

29 N 

29 N 

11 N 

16000 N 

630 N 

Chromium III and compounds 

37000 N 

0.021 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Chromium VI and compounds 

180 N 

0.015 C 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Coal tar 

0 

0.28 C 

0 

0 

0 

Cobalt 

2200 N 

2200 N 

810 N 

1000000 N 

47000 N 

Coke Oven Emissions 

0 

0.29 C 

0 

0 

0 

Copper and compounds 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Crotonaldehyde 

3.5 C 

0.33 C 

0.17 C 

300 C 

34 C 

Cumene 

1500 N 

94 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Cyanides: 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Barium cyanide 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Calcium cyanide 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

•’Chlorine cyanide 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

























58 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


58 




C- carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Copper cyanide 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Cyanazine 

8 C 

0.75 C 

0.38 C 

680 C 

76 C 

Cyanogen 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Cyanogen bromide 

3300 N 

3300 N 

1200 N 

1000000 N 

70000 N 

Cyanogen chloride 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Free cyanide 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Hydrogen cyanide 

730 N 

31 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Potassium cyanide 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Potassium silver cyanide 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Silver cyanide 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Sodium cyanide 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Thiocyanate 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Zinc cyanide 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Cyclohexanone 

30000 N 

180000 N 

68000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Cyclohexlamine 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Cyhalothrin/Karate 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Cypermethrin 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Cyromazine 

270 N 

270 N 

100 N 

150000 N 

5900 N 

Dacthal 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Dalapon 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Danitol 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

DDD 

28 C 

2.6 C 

1.3 C 

2400 C 

270 C 

DDE 

20 C 

1.8 C 

0.93 C 

1700 C 

190 C 

DDT 

20 C 

1.8 C 

0.93 C 

1700 C 

190 C 

Decabromodiphenyl ether 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Demeton 

1.5 N 

1.5 N 

0.54 N 

820 N 

31 N 

Diallate 

17 C 

10 C 

5.2 C 

9400 C 

1000 C 

Diazinon 

33 N 

33 N 

12 N 

18000 N 

700 N 

Dibenzofuran 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

1,4 Dibromobenzene 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

1,2 Dibromo 3-chloropropane 

4.8 C 

2.1 N 

0.23 C 

410 C 

46 C 

1,2-Dibromoethane 

0.075 C 

0.81 C 

0.0037 C 

6.7 C 

0.75 C„ 

Dibutyl phthalate 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Dicamba 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 

270 N 

1500 N 

1200 N 

1000000 N 

70000 N 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 

540 N 

3200 N 

1200 N 

1000000 N 

70000 N 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 

44 C 

26 C 

13 C 

24000 C 

2700 C 




























59 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


59 




C-carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

3,3'Dichlorobenzidine 

15 C 

1.4 C 

0.7 C 

1300 C 

140 C 

1,4-Dichloro-2-butene 

0.11 C 

0.067 C 

0 

0 

0 

Dichlorodifluoromethane 

390 N 

2100 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

1,1-Dichloroethane 

810 N 

5200 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

1,2 Dichloroethane (EDC) 

12 C 

6.9 C 

3.5 C 

6300 C 

700 C 

1,1 -Dichloroethylene 

4.4 C 

3.6 C 

0.53 C 

950 C 

110 C 

1,2-Dichloroethylene (cis) 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

1,2-Dichloroethylene (trans) 

120 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

1,2-Dichloroethylene (mixture) 

55 N 

330 N 

120 N 

180000 N 

7000 N 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

4-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyric Acid 

290 N 

290 N 

110 N 

160000 N 

6300 N 

1,2-Dichloropropane 

16 C 

9.2 C 

4.6 C 

8400 C 

940 C 

2,3-Dichloropropanol 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

1,3 Dichloropropene 

7.7 C 

4.8 C 

1.8 C 

3300 C 

230 N 

Dichlorvos 

23 C 

2.2 C 

1.1 C 

2000 C 

220 C 

Dicofol 

15 C 

1.4 C 

0.72 C 

1300 C 

150 C 

Dicyclopentadiene 

0.42 N 

2.1 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Dieldrin 

0.42 C 

0.039 C 

0.02 C 

36 C 

4 C 

Diesel emissions 

52 N 

52 N 

0 

0 

0 

Diethyl phthalate 

29000 N 

29000 N 

11000 N 

1000000 N 

630000 N 

Diethylene glycol, monobutyl ether 

210 N 

210 N 

0 

0 

0 

Diethylene glycol, monoethyl ether 

73000 N 

73000 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Diethylforamide 

400 N 

400 N 

150 N 

220000 N 

8600 N 

Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate 

5600 C 

520 C 

260 C 

480000 C 

53000 C 

Diethylstilbestrol 

0.0014 C 

0.00013 C 

0.000067 C 

0.12 C 

0.014 C 

Difenzoquat (Avenge) 

2900 N 

2900 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

Diflubenzuron 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

1,1-Difluoroethane 

69000 N 

420000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) 

2900 N 

2900 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

Dimethipin 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Dimethoate 

7.3 N 

7.3 N 

2.7 N 

4100 N 

160 N 

3,3'Dimethoxybenzidine 

480 C 

45 C 

23 C 

41000 C 

4600 C 

Dimethylamine 

0.21 N 

0.21 N 

0 

0 

0 

2,4-Dimethylaniline hydrochloride 

12 C 

1.1 C 

0.54 C 

990 C 

110 C 

2,4-Dimethylaniline 

9 C 

0.83 C 

0.42 C 

760 C 

85 C 

N N-Dimethylaniline 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

























60 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


60 




C- carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

3,3’Dimethylbenzidine 

0.73 C 

0.068 C 

0.034 C 

62 C 

6.9 C 

N,N Dimethylformamide 

3700 N 

310 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

1,1 -Dimethylhydrazine 

2.6 C 

0.18 C 

0.12 C 

220 C 

25 C 

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine 

0.18 C 

0.017 C 

0.0085 C 

15 C 

1.7 C 

2,4 Dimethylphenol 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

2,6 Dimethylphenol 

22 N 

22 N 

8.1 N 

12000 N 

470 N 

3,4 Dimethylphenol 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Dimethyl phthalate 

370000 N 

370000 N 

140000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Dimethyl terephthalate 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

1,2-Dinitrobenzene 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

1,3-Dinitrobenzene 

3.7 N 

3.7 N 

1.4 N 

2000 N 

78 N 

1,4-Dinitrobenzene 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

4,6-Dinitro-o-cyclohexyl phenol 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Dinitrotoluene mixture 

9.9 C 

0.92 C 

0.46 C 

840 C 

94 C 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

2,6Dinitrotoluene 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Dinoseb 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

di n Octyl phthalate 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

1,4-Dioxane 

610 C 

57 C 

29 C 

52000 C 

5800 C 

Diphenamid 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Diphenylamine 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

1,2-Diphenylhydrazine 

8.4 C 

0.81 C 

0.39 C 

720 C 

80 C 

Diquat 

80 N 

80 N 

30 N 

45000 N 

1700 N 

Direct black 38 

0.78 C 

0.073 C 

0.037 C 

67 C 

7.4 C 

Direct blue 6 

0.83 C 

0.077 C 

0.039 C 

71 C 

7.9 C 

Direct brown 95 

0.72 C 

0.067 C 

0.034 C 

62 C 

6.9 C 

Disulfoton 

1.5 N 

1.5 N 

0.54 N 

820 N 

31 N 

1,4 Dithiane 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Diuron 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Dodine 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

Endosulfan 

220 N 

220 N 

81 N 

120000 N 

4700 N 

Endothall 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Endrin 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Epichlorohydrin 

680 C 

10 N 

32 C 

58000 C 

6500 C 

1,2-Epoxybutane 

210 N 

210 N 

0 

0 

0 

Ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

























61 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


61 




C-carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Ethion 

18 N 

18 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

2-Ethoxyethanol acetate 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

2-Ethoxyethanol 

15000 N 

2100 N 

5400 N 

1000000 N 

310000 N 

Ethyl acrylate 

140 C 

13 C 

6.6 C 

12000 C 

1300 C 

EPTC (S Ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Ethyl acetate 

33000 N 

33000 N 

12000 N 

1000000 N 

700000 N 

Ethylbenzene 

1300 N 

10000 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Ethylene cyanohydrin 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Ethylene diamine 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Ethylene glycol 

73000 N 

73000 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Ethylene glycol, monobutyl ether 

210 N 

210 N 

0 

0 

0 

Ethylene oxide 

6.6 C 

1.8 C 

0.31 C 

560 C 

63 C 

Ethylene thiourea (ETU) 

57 C 

5.3 C 

2.7 C 

4800 C 

540 C 

Ethyl ether 

1200 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Ethyl methacrylate 

3300 N 

3300 N 

1200 N 

1000000 N 

70000 N 

Ethyl p nitrophenyl phenylphosphorothioate 

0.37 N 

0.37 N 

0.14 N 

200 N 

7.8 N 

Ethylnitrosourea 

0.048 C 

0.0045 C 

0.0023 C 

4.1 C 

0.46 C 

Ethylphthalyl ethyl glycolate 

110000 N 

110000 N 

41000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Express 

290 N 

290 N 

110 N 

160000 N 

6300 N 

Fenamiphos 

9.1 N 

9.1 N 

3.4 N 

5100 N 

200 N 

Fluometuron 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Fluoride 

2200 N 

2200 N 

810 N 

1000000 N 

47000 N 

Fluoridone 

2900 N 

2900 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

Flurprimidol 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Flutolanil 

2200 N 

2200 N 

810 N 

1000000 N 

47000 N 

Fluvalinate 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Folpet 

1900 C 

180 C 

90 C 

160000 C 

18000 C 

Fomesafen 

35 C 

3.3 C 

1.7 C 

3000 C 

340 C 

Fonofos - 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Formaldehyde 

7300 N 

14 C 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Formic Acid 

73000 N 

73000 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Fosetyl-al 

110000 N 

110000 N 

41000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Furan 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Furazolidone 

1.8 C 

0.16 C 

0.083 C 

150 C 

17 C 

Furfural 

110 N 

520 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Furium 

0.13 C 

0.013 C 

0.0063 C 

11 C 

1.3 C 

Furmecyclox 

220 C 

21 C 

11 C 

19000 C 

2100 C 




























62 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


62 




C- carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Glufosinate-ammonium 

15 N 

15 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N, 

Glycidaldehyde 

15 N 

10 N 

5.4 N 

8200 N 

310 N 

Glyphosate 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Haloxyfop methyl 

1.8 N 

1.8 N 

0.68 N 

1000 N 

39 N 

Harmony 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

HCH (alpha) 

1.1 C 

0.099 C 

0.05 C 

91 C 

10 C 

HCH (beta) 

3.7 C 

0.35 C 

0.18 C 

320 C 

35 C 

HCH (gamma) Lindane 

5.2 C 

0.48 C 

0.24 C 

440 C 

49 C 

HCH-technical 

3.7 C 

0.35 C 

0.18 C 

320 C 

35 C 

Heptachlor 

0.23 C 

0.14 C 

0.07 C 

130 C 

14 C 

Heptachlor epoxide 

0.12 C 

0.069 C 

0.035 C 

63 C 

7 C 

Hexabromobenzene 

12 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Hexachlorobenzene 

0.66 C 

0.39 C 

0.2 C 

360 C 

40 C 

Hexachlorobutadiene 

14 C 

8.1 C 

4.0 C 

7300 C 

820 C 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 

0.15 N 

0.73 N 

95 N 

140000 N 

5500 N 

Hexachlorodibenzo p-dioxin mixture 

0.0011 C 

0.00014 C 

0.000051 C 

0.092 C 

0.01 C 

Hexachloroethane 

75 C 

45 C 

23 C 

410000 C 

4600 C 

Hexachlorophene 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine 

61 C 

5.7 C 

2.9 C 

5200 C 

580 C 

1,6 Hexamethylene diisocyanate 

0.1 N 

0.1 N 

0 

0 

0 

n-Hexane 

350 N 

2100 N 

810 N 

1000000 N 

47000 N 

Hexazinone 

1200 N 

1200 N 

450 N 

670000 N 

26000 N 

Hydrazine, hydrazine sulfate 

2.2 C 

0.037 C 

0.11 C 

190 C 

21 C 

Hydrogen chloride 

210 N 

210 N 

0 

0 

0 

Hydrogen sulfide 

110 N 

10 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Hydroquinone 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Imazalil 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Imazaquin 

9100 N 

9100 N 

3400 N 

1000000 N 

200000 N 

Iprodione 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Iron 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Isobutanol 

1800 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Isophorone 

7100 C 

660 C 

330 C 

600000 C 

67000 C 

Isopropalin 

550 N 

550 N 

200 N 

310000 N 

12000 N 

Isopropyl methyl phosphonic acid 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Isoxaben 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Kepone 

0.37 C 

0.035 C 

0.018 C 

32 C 

3.5 C 

Lactofen 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 


























63 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


63 




C-carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Linuron 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Lithium 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Londax 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Malathion 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Maleic anhydride 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Maleic hydrazide 

18000 N 

18000 N 

6800 N 

1000000 N 

390000 N 

Malononitrile 

0.73 N 

0.73 N 

0.27 N 

410 N 

16 N 

Mancozeb 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Maneb 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

** Manganese and compounds 

840 N 

0.52 N 

310 N 

470000 N 

18000 N 

Mephosfolan 

3.3 N 

3.3 N 

1.2 N 

1800 N 

70 N 

Mepiquat chloride 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Mercuric chloride 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Mercury (inorganic) 

11 N 

3.1 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Mercury (methyl) 

3.7 N 

3.7 N 

1.4 N 

2000 N 

78 N 

Merphos 

1.1 N 

1.1 N 

0.41 N 

610 N 

23 N 

Merphos oxide 

1.1 N 

1.1 N 

0.41 N 

610 N 

23 N 

Metalaxyl 

2200 N 

2200 N 

810 N 

1000000 N 

47000 N 

Methacrylonitrile 

3.7 N 

7.3 N 

1.4 N 

2000 N 

78 N 

Methamidophos 

1.8 N 

1.8 N 

0.68 N 

1000 N 

39 N 

Methanol 

18000 N 

18000 N 

6800 N 

1000000 N 

390000 N 

Methidathion 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Methomyl 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Methoxychlor 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

2-Methoxyethanol acetate 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

2-Methoxyethanol 

37 N 

210 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

2 Methoxy-5 nitroaniline 

150 C 

14 C 

6.9 C 

12000 C 

1400 C 

Methyl acetate 

37000 N 

37000 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Methyl acrylate 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

2-Methylaniline hydrochloride 

37 C 

3.5 C 

1.8 C 

3200 C 

350 C 

2-Methylaniline 

28 C 

2.6 C 

1.3 C 

2400 C 

270 C 

Methyl chlorocarbonate 

37000 N 

37000 N 

14000 N. 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

4-(2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid 

18 N 

18 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

2-(2-Methyl-14 chlorophenoxy)propionic acid 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Methylcyclohexane 

31000 N 

31000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Methylene bromide 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

























64 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


64 




C-carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Methylene chloride 

410 C 

380 C 

42 C 

76000 C 

8500 C 

4,4’ Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) 

52 C 

4.8 C 

2.4 C 

4400 C 

490 C 

4,4'Methylenebisbenzeneamine 

27 C 

2.5 C 

1.3 C 

2300 C 

260 C 

4,4'Methylene bis(N,N'dimethyl)aniline 

150 C 

14 C 

6.9 C 

12000 C 

1400 C 

4,4' Methylenediphenyl isocyanate 

0.035 N 

0.21 N 

0 

0 

0 

Methyl ethyl ketone 

1900 N 

10000 N 

8100 N 

1000000 N 

470000 N 

Methyl hydrazine 

6.1 C 

0.57 C 

0.29 C 

520 C 

58 C 

Methyl isobutyl ketone 

2900 N 

840 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

Methyl methacrylate 

2900 N 

2900 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

2Methyl-5nitroaniline 

200 C 

19 C 

9.6 C 

17000 C 

1900 C 

Methyl parathion 

9.1 N 

9.1 N 

3.4 N 

5100 N 

200 N 

2 Methylphenol (o-cresol) 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

3 Methylphenol (m-cresol) 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

4 Methylphenol (p-cresol) 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Methyl styrene (mixture) 

60 N 

420 N 

81 N 

120000 N 

4700 N 

Methyl styrene (alpha) 

430 N 

2600 N 

950 N 

1000000 N 

55000 N 

Methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE) 

180 N 

31000 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Metolaclor (Dual) 

5500 N 

5500 N 

2000 N 

1000000 N 

120000 N 

Metribuzin 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Mirex 

3.7 C 

0.35 C 

0.18 C 

320 C 

35 C 

Molinate 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Molybdenum 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Monochloramine 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Naled 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

2-Naphthylamine 

0.052 C 

0.0048 C 

0.0024 C 

4.4 C 

0.49 C 

Napropamide 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Nickel refinery dust 

0 

0.75 C 

0 

0 

0 

Nickel and compounds 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Nickel subsulfide 

0 

0.37 C 

0 

0 

0 

Nitrapyrin 

55 N 

55 N 

20 N 

31000 N 

1200 N 

Nitrate 

58000 N 

58000 N 

22000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Nitric oxide 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

Nitrite 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

2-Nitroaniline 

2.2 N 

2.1 N 

0.81 N 

1200 N 

47 N 

3-Nitroaniline 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

4 Nitroaniline 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Nitrobenzene 

3.4 N 

21 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 


























65 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


65 




C- carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Nitrofurantoin 

2600 N 

2600 N 

950 N 

1000000 N 

55000 N 

Nitrofurazone 

4.5 C 

0.067 C 

0.21 C 

380 C 

43 C 

Nitrogen dioxide 

37000 N 

37000 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Nitroguanidine 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

4 Nitrophenol 

2300 N 

2300 N 

840 N 

1000000 N 

48000 N 

2 Nitropropane 

210 N 

0.067 C 

0 

0 

0 

N Nitrosodi-n-butylamine 

1.2 C 

0.11 C 

0.058. C 

110 C 

12 C 

N-Nitrosodiethanolamine 

2.4 C 

0.22 C 

0.11 C 

200 C 

23 C 

N-Nitrosodiethylamine 

0.045 C 

0.0041 C 

0.0021 C 

3.8 C 

0.43 C 

N Nitrosodimethylamine 

0.13 C 

0.013 C 

0.0062 C 

11 C 

1.3 C 

N Nitrosodiphenylamine 

1400 C 

130 C 

. 64 C 

*120000 C 

13000 C 

N-Nitroso di n-propylamine 

0.96 C 

0.089 C 

0.045 C 

82 C 

9.1 C 

N Nitroso-N methylethylamine 

0.31 C 

0.028 C 

0.014 C 

26 C 

2.9 C 

N Nitrosopyrrolidine 

3.2 C 

0.29 C 

0.15 C 

270 C 

30 C 

m-Nitrotoluene 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

o Nitrotoluene 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

p Nitrotoluene 

61 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Norflurazon 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

NuStar 

26 N 

26 N 

9.5 N 

14000 N 

550 N 

Octabromodiphenyl ether 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Octahydro-1357-tetranitro-1357-tetrazocine 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Octamethylpyrophosphoramide 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Oryzalin 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Oxadiazon 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Oxamyl 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Oxyfluorfen 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Paclobutrazol 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Paraquat 

160 N 

160 N 

61 N 

92000 N 

3500 N 

Parathion 

220 N 

220 N 

81 N 

120000 N 

4700 N 

Pebulate 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Pendimethalin 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Pentabromo-6-chloro cyclohexane 

290 C 

27 C 

14 C 

25000 C 

2800 C 

Pentabromodiphenyl ether 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Pentachlorobenzene 

4.9 N 

29 N 

11 N 

16000 N 

630 N 

Pentachloronitrobenzene 

4.1 C 

2.4 C 

1.2 C 

2200 C 

250 C 

Pentachlorophenol 

56 C 

5.2 C 

2.6 C 

4800 C 

530 C 

Permethrin 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 


























66 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


66 




C-carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 

4 


Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Phenmedipham 

9100 N 

9100 N 

3400 N 

1000000 N 

200000 N. 

Phenol 

22000 N 

22000 N 

8100 N 

1000000 N 

470000 N 

m-Phenylenediamine 

220 N 

220 N 

81 N 

120000 N 

4700 N 

p-Phenylenediamine 

6900 N 

6900 N 

2600 N 

1000000 N 

150000 N 

Phenylmercuric acetate 

2.9 N 

2.9 N 

1.1 N 

1600 N 

63 N 

2-Phenylphenol 

3500 C 

320 C 

160 C 

300000 C 

33000 C 

Phorate 

7.3 N 

7.3 N 

2.7 N 

4100 N 

160 N 

Phosmet 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Phosphine 

11 N 

3.1 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Phosphoric acid 

100 N 

100 N 

0 

0 

0 

Phosphorus (white) 

0.73 N 

0.73 N 

0.27 N 

410 N 

16 N 

p-Phthalic acid 

37000 N 

37000 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Phthalic anhydride 

73000 N 

1300 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Picloram 

2600 N 

2600 N 

950 N 

1000000 N 

55000 N 

Pirimiphos-methyl 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

Polybrominated biphenyls 

0.76 C 

0.07 C 

0.035 C 

64 C 

5.5 N 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 

3.35 C 

0.313 C 

0.160 C 

286 C 

31.9 C 

Aroclor 1016 

2.6 N 

2.6 N 

0.95 N 

1400 N 

55 N 

Aroclor 1254 

0.73 N 

0.73 N 

0.27 N 

410 N 

16 N 

Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) 

1.5 C 

0.14 C 

0.07 C 

130 C 

14 C 

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Acenaphthene 

2200 N 

2200 N 

810 N 

1000000 N 

47000 N 

Anthracene 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Benz[a]anthracene 

9.2 C 

1 C 

0.43 C 

780 C 

88 C 

Benzo[b]fluoranthene 

9.2 C 

1 C 

0.43 C 

780 C 

88 C 

Benzo[k]fluoranthene 

92 C 

10 C 

4.3 C 

7800 C 

870 C 

Benzo[a]pyrene 

0.92 C 

0.1 C 

0.043 C 

78 C 

8.8 C 

Carbazole 

340 C 

31 C 

16 C 

29000 C 

3200 C 

Chrysene 

920 C 

100 C 

43 C 

78000 C 

8700 C 

Dibenz[ah]anthracene 

0.92 C 

0.1 C 

0.043 C 

78 C 

8.8 C 

Fluoranthene 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Fluorene 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Indenod,2,3cd]pyrene 

9.2 C 

1 C 

0.43 C 

780 C 

88 C 

Naphthalene 

1500 N 

1500 N 

540 N 

820000 N 

31000 N 

Pyrene 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Prochloraz 

45 C 

4.2 C 

2.1 C 

3800 C 

430 C 

Profluralin 

220 N 

220 N 

81 N 

120000 N 

4700 N 


























67 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


67 




C- carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Prometon 

550 N 

550 N 

200 N 

310000 N 

12000 N 

Prometryn 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

Pronamide 

2700 N 

2700 N 

1000 N 

1000000 N 

59000 N 

Propachlor 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Propanil 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Propargite 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Propargyl alcohol 

73 N 

73 N 

27 N 

41000 N 

1600 N 

Propazine 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Propham 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Propiconazole 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Propylene glycol 

730000 N 

730000 N 

270000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Propylene glycol, monoethyl ether 

26000 N 

26000 N 

9500 N 

1000000 N 

550000 N 

Propylene glycol, monomethyl ether 

26000 N 

21000 N 

9500 N 

1000000 N 

550000 N 

Propylene oxide 

28 C 

49 C 

1.3 C 

2400 C 

270 C 

Pursuit 

9100 N 

9100 N 

3400 N 

1000000 N 

200000 N 

Pydrin 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Pyridine 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Quinalphos 

18 N 

18 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

Quinoline 

0.56 C 

0.052 C 

0.026 C 

48 C 

5.3 C 

Resmethrin 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Ronnel 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Rotenone 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

Savey 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Selenious Acid 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Selenium 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Selenourea 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Sethoxydim 

3300 N 

3300 N 

1200 N 

1000000 N 

70000 N 

Silver and compounds 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Simazine 

56 C 

5.2 C 

2.6 C 

4800 C 

530 C 

Sodium azide 

150 N 

150 N 

54 N 

82000 N 

3100 N 

Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate 

25 C 

2.3 C 

1.2 C 

2100 C 

240 C 

Sodium fluoroacetate 

0.73 N 

0.73 N 

0.27 N 

410 N 

16 N 

Sodium metavanadate 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Strontium, stable 

22000 N 

22000 N 

8100 N 

1000000 N 

470000 N 

Strychnine 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Styrene 

1600 N 

10000 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Systhane 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 


























68 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


68 




C-carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 

4 


Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

2,3,7.8-TCDD (dioxin) 

0.000043 C 

0.0000054 C 

0.000002 C 

0.0037 C 

0.00041 C 

f 

Tebuthiuron 

2600 N 

2600 N 

950 N 

1000000 N 

55000 N 

Temephos 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Terbacil 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Terbufos 

0.91 N 

0.91 N 

0.34 N 

510 N 

20 N 

Terbutryn 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 

1.8 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

1,1,1,2-T etrachloroethane 

41 C 

24 C 

12 C 

22000 C 

2500 C 

1,1,2,2-T etrachloroethane 

5.2 C 

3.1 C 

1.6 C 

2900 C 

320 C 

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) 

110 C 

310 C 

6.1 C 

11000 C 

1200 C 

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

p,a,a,a-Tetrachlorotoluene 

0.053 C 

0.031 C 

0.016 C 

29 C 

3.2 C 

Tetrachlorovinphos 

280 C 

26 C 

13 C 

24000 C 

2700 C 

Tetraethyldithiopyrophosphate 

18 N 

18 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

Tetraethyl lead 

0.0037 N 

0.0037 N 

0.0014 N 

2 N 

0.078 N 

1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane 

140000 N 

840000 N 

0 

0 

0 

Thallic oxide 

2.6 N 

2.6 N 

0.95 N 

1400 N 

55 N 

Thallium 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Thallium acetate 

3.3 N 

3.3 N 

1.2 N 

1800 N 

70 N 

Thallium carbonate 

2.9 N 

2.9 N 

1.1 N 

1600 N 

63 N 

Thallium chloride 

2.9 N 

2.9 N 

1.1 N 

1600 N 

63 N 

Thallium nitrate 

3.3 N 

3.3 N 

1.2 N 

1800 N 

70 N 

Thallium selenite 

3.3 N 

3.3 N 

1.2 N 

1800 N 

70 N 

Thallium sulfate 

2.9 N 

2.9 N 

1.1 N 

1600 N 

63 N 

Thiobencarb 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

2-{Thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole 

1100 N 

1100 N 

410 N 

610000 N 

23000 N 

Thiofanox 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Thiophanate-methyl 

2900 N 

2900 N 

1100 N 

1000000 N 

63000 N 

Thiram 

180 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Tin and compounds 

22000 N 

22000 N 

8100 N 

1000000 N 

470000 N 

Toluene 

750 N 

4200 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

Toluene-2,4-diamine 

2.1 C 

0.2 C 

0.099 C 

180 C 

20 C 

Toluene-2,5-diamine 

22000 N 

22000 N 

8100 N 

1000000 N 

470000 N 

Toluene-2,6-diamine 

7300 N 

7300 N 

2700 N 

1000000 N 

160000 N 

p-Toluidine 

35 C 

3.3 C 

1.7 C 

3000 C 

340 C 

Toxaphene 

6.1 C 

0.56 C 

0.29 C 

520 C 

58 C 

Tralomethrin 

270 N 

270 N 

100 N 

150000 N 

5900 N 


























69 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


69 




C- carcinogen 

N-noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Triailate 

470 N 

470 N 

180 N 

270000 N 

10000 N 

Triasuifuron 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

1,2,4-Tribromobenzene 

30 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

Tributyltin oxide (TBTO) 

1.1 N 

1.1 N 

0.41 N 

610 N 

23 N 

2,4,6-Trichloroaniline hydrochloride 

230 C 

22 C 

11 C 

20000 C 

2200 C 

2,4,6-Trichloroaniline 

200 C 

18 C 

9.3 C 

17000 C 

1900 C 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 

190 N 

2100 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

* 1,1,1 -T richloroethane 

790 N 

10000 N 

470 N 

720000 N 

27000 N 

1,1,2-Trichloroethane 

19 C 

11 C 

5.5 C 

10000 C 

1100 C 

Trichloroethylene (TCE) 

160 C 

100 C 

29 C 

52000 C 

4700 N 

T richlorofluoromethane 

1300 N 

7300 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 

3700 N 

3700 N 

1400 N 

1000000 N 

78000 N 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 

610 C 

57 C 

29 C 

52000 C 

5800 C 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

2-(2,4,5-T richlorophenoxylpropionic acid 

290 N 

290 N 

110 N 

160000 N 

6300 N 

1,1,2-T richloropropane 

30 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

1,2,3-Trichloropropane 

0.15 C 

0.089 C 

0.045 C 

82 C 

9.1 C 

1,2,3 Trichloropropene 

30 N 

180 N 

68 N 

100000 N 

3900 N 

1,1,2-T richloro-1,2,2- trifluoroethane 

59000 N 

310000 N 

410000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Tridiphane 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Triethylamine 

73 N 

73 N 

0 

0 

0 

Trifluralin 

870 C 

81 C 

41 C 

74000 C 

5900 N 

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 

300 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene 

300 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 

Trimethyl phosphate 

180 C 

17 C 

8.5 C 

15000 C 

1700 C 

1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 

1.8 N 

1.8 N 

0.68 N 

1000 N 

39 N 

T rinitrophenylmethylnitramine 

370 N 

370 N 

140 N 

200000 N 

7800 N 

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene 

18 N 

18 N 

6.8 N 

10000 N 

390 N 

Uranium (soluble salts) 

110 N 

110 N 

41 N 

61000 N 

2300 N 

Vanadium 

260 N 

260 N 

95 N 

140000 N 

5500 N 

Vanadium pentoxide 

330 N 

330 N 

120 N 

180000 N 

7000 N 

Vanadium sulfate 

730 N 

730 N 

270 N 

410000 N 

16000 N 

Vernam 

37 N 

37 N 

14 N 

20000 N 

780 N 

Vinclozolin 

910 N 

910 N 

340 N 

510000 N 

20000 N 

Vinyl acetate 

37000 N 

2100 N 

14000 N 

1000000 N 

780000 N 

Vinyl bromide 

5.2 N 

31 N 

0 

0 

0 

Vinyl chloride 

1.9 C 

2.1 C 

0.17 C 

300 C 

34 C 


























70 


EMERGENCY REMOVAL GUIDELINES 


70 




C-carcinogen 

N- noncarcinogen 




Ambient 


Soil 


Tap 

Ambient 


Industrial/ 



Water 

Air 

Fish 

Commerical 

Residential 

Contaminant 

ug/L 

ug/m3 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

mg/kg 

Warfarin 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

m-Xylene 

1400 N 

7300 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

o-Xylene 

1400 N 

7300 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

p-Xylene 

520 N 

3100 N 

0 

0 

0 

Xylene (mixed) 

12000 N 

73000 N 

27000 N 

1000000 N 

1000000 N 

Zinc 

11000 N 

11000 N 

4100 N 

1000000 N 

230000 N 

Zinc phosphide 

11 N 

11 N 

4.1 N 

6100 N 

230 N 

Zineb 

1800 N 

1800 N 

680 N 

1000000 N 

39000 N 
















URTH-STAR Short-term Risk Level (STAR) recommended for an Unreasonable Risk to Health (URTH) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) 


ft 

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REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 


Aldicarb sulfoxide 

Aldicarb sulfone 

Aldicarb (Temik) 

Alachlor 

Adipates (Diethylhexyl) 

Acrylonitrile 

Acrylamide (2-Propenamide) 

Acifluorfen (Tackle) 

Acetone 

Acenaphthene 

ORGANICS 

Chemical 

i 

1646884 

116063 

15972608 

103231 

107131 

79061 

62476599 

67641 

83329 

O 

> 

C/5 

a 

D 

O 

DO 

to 

n 

2 

DD 

to 

DD 

to 

U 

i 

Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

■ 

t 

• 

$ 

3,000 

CN 

- 

100 

l 

i 

c' — ° 

^5 o i. 

— l-t 

v> 

vi 

Vi 

V) 

Vi 

400 

20,000 

1 

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400 

u> 

3 

b 

2,100 

DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 

• 

• 

• 

i i 

20,000 

I 

to 

O 

100 

- 

i 

Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

7/7 

7/7 

7/7 

2/0 

400/400 

1 

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MCL/ 

MCLG 

(ug/L) 

i 

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1 

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1 

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• 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

V> 

'VI 

U> 

L/\ 

u> 

Vi 

S 

4,000 

O' 

- 

100 

3,500 

2,100 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 

Superfund 


to 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 

























Bromochloromethane 

Bromacil 

bis-2-Chloroisopropyl ether 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 

Benzo(a)pyrene 

Benzene 

Benz(a)anthracene 

Bentazon 

Baygon 

Atrazine 

Anthracene 

Ammonium sulfamate 

Ametyrn 

Aldrin 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

74975 

314409 

108601 

207089 

205992 

50328 

71432 

56553 

25057890 

114261 

1912249 

120127 

7773060 

834128 

309002 

O 

> 

C/3 

U 

at 

n 

o 

B2 

B2 

B2 

> 

B2 

a 

n 

n 

o 

O 

o 

B2 

Cancer 

Group 

n 

w 

3 

n 

• 

i 

i 

i 

i 

I 

100 

I 

i 

i 

i 

i 

I 

i 

0.2 

iijjs O 

w 5 £ s 

CK 

-t 

& 

oo' 

500 

5,000 

1,000 

i 

I 

i 

I 

i 

S 

100 

200 

11,000 

00 

S 

- 

DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 

1,000 

3,000 

4,000 

i 

I 

l 

i 

I 

300 

40 

50 

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20,000 

006 

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(ug/L) 

I 

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0.2/0 

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50 

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1,000 

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30 

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00 

300 

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Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 


<1 

u> 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 
































Chloramben 

Chloral hydrate (Trichloroacetaldehyde 

monohydrate) 

Carboxin 

Carbon tetrachloride 

Carbofuran 

Carbaryl 

Butylate 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 

Butanone (2-) (see Methyl ethyl ketone) 

Bromomethane (Methyl bromide) 

Bromoform 

Bromodichloromethane 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

133904 

302170 

5234684 

56235 

1563662 

63252 

2008415 

85687 


74839 

75252 

75274 

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> 

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n 

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03 

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w 

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03 

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00 

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Group 

Cancer Risk 

i 

t 

• 

O 

i 

I 

i 

i 


I 

400 

8 

| 

500 

8 

4,000 

u> 

o 

200 

4,000 

2,000 

000‘9 


o 

700 

700 

DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 

200 

200 

1,000 

^4 

O 

O 

1,000 

1,000 

• 


100 

2,000 

4,000 

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term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

i 

60740 

i 

5/0 

40/40 

1 i 

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100/0 


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8 

oo 

o 

3* 

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oo 

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i 

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(ug/L) 

200 

s 

1,000 

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o 

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o 

1,000 

1,000 

7,000 


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o 

400 

>—A 

8 

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Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 

Superfund 


<1 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 


























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REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

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REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 





























Dichloropropane (1,2-) 

Dichlorophenol (2,4-) 

Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride) 

Dichloroethylene (trans- 1,2-) 

Dichloroethylene (cis- 1,2-) 

Dichloroethylene (1,1-) 

Dichloroethane (1,2-) (Ethylene 

dichloride) 

Dichloroethane (1,1-) 

Dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon-12) 

Dichlorobenzene -p (1,4-) 

Dichlorobenzene -m (1,3-) 

Dichlorobenzene -o (1,2-) 

Dichloroacetonitrile 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

78875 

120832 

75092 

156605 

156592 

75354 

107062 

75343 

75718 

106467 

541731 

95501 

3018120 

CAS# 

w 

K> 

X' 

O 

to 

N) 

O 

a 

n 

w 

N> 

n 

X 

o 

n 

O 

a 

n 

Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

1 

l 

500 

I 

i 

i 

O 

1 

• 

i 

l 

i 

• 

m 4 

Cancer 

Risk 

(ug/L) 

1 

100 

2,000 

009 

400 

400 

! 1 

U) 

L/1 

8 

K 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

3,000 

300 

qq ^ 

L, r 

Standards and Health Advisories 

1 

u> 

o 

l 

2,000 

3,000 

1,000 

700 

1 

9,000 

10,000 

9,000 

9,000 

800 

Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

5/0 

I 

5/0 

100/100 

70/70 


5/0 

1 

i 

75/75 

009/009 

009/009 

l 

c Sc 

i 

I 

l 

009 

400 

-4 

o 

a 

o 

1 | 

I 

750 

• 

3,000 

l 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

8 

u> 

O 

500 

009 

400 

o 

O 

1 

5,000 

750 

3,000 

3,000 

300 

Superfund 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 


<1 

<1 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 































Dioxane p- (1,4-) 

Dinoseb 

Dinitrotoluene, tg J (2,6-&2,4-) 

Dinitrotoluene (2,6-) 

Dinitrotoluene (2,4-) 

Dinitrobenzene (1,3-) 

DIMP (Diisopropyl methyl phosphonate) 

Dimethyl phthalate 

Dimethyl methylphosphonate 

Dimethrin 

Diethylhexyl phthalate 

Diethylhexyl (see Adipates) 

Diethyl phthalate 

Dieldrin 

Dichloropropene(l,3-)(cis and trans) 


ORGANICS 

O 

CD 

3 
•— « » 

o 

EL 

123911 

00 

oo 

oo 

LA 

I 

25321146 

121142 

99650 

1445756 

131113 

756796 

70382 

117817 


84662 

60571 

542756 

n 

> 

on 

B2 

o 

B2 

i 

i 

a 

o 

a 

n 

U 

B2 


O 

B2 

B2 

Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

700 

1 

LA 

• 

i 

i 

i 

i 

700 

l 

300 


I i 

0.2 

20 

W 4 

Cancer 

Risk 

(ug/L) 

I 

s 

i 

$ 

100 

LA 

3,000 

• 

7,000 

10,000 

700 


30,000 

K> 

*— * 

o 

DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 

1 

© 

i 

400 

300 

£ 

8,000 

i | 

2,000 

10,000 

I 


i * 

© 

LA 

o 

30 

Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

• 

7/7 

i 

• 

I 1 

1 

• 

■ 

1 

1 

6/0 


i 

1 

i 

o 

MCL/ 

MCLG 

(ug/L) 

• 

1 

i 

• 

i 

1 

• 

i 

l 

1 

I 


i 

I 

1 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

700 

h—* 

o 

LA 


LA 

LA 

3,000 

i ! 

2,000 

10,000 

300 


30,000 

0.2 

© 

Superfund 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 


<1 

00 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 











































Ethylene dichloride (see 1,2- 

Dichloroethane) 

Ethylene dibromide (1,2-)(EDB) 

Ethylbenzene 

Epichlorohydrin 

Endrin 

Endothall 

Diuron 

Dithiane (1,4-) 

Disulfoton 

Diquat 

Diphenylamine 

Diphenamid 

Dioxin (see 2,3,7,8-TCDD) 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 


106934 

100414 

106898 

72208 

145733 

330541 

505293 

298044 

85007 

122394 

957517 


o 

> 

Sfc 


w 

LJ 

O 

to 

O 

O 

o 

O 

m 

O 

U 

O 


Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 


0.04 

i 

400 

l 

I 

i 

l 

i 

l 

• 

l 


10* 4 

Cancer 

Risk 

(ug/L) 


i 

3,000 

■o 

o 

t—* 

o 

700 

-j 

o 

400 

- 

oo 

o 

1,000 

1,000 


DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 


i 

1,000 

-o 

o 

to 

200 

300 

400 


1 

300 

S 


Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 


0.05/0 

700/700 

treat/0 

2/2 

100/100 

I 

1 

• 

20/20 

i 

i 


MCL/ 

MCLG 

■ ■ . 

(ug/L) 


0.05 

1,000 

o 

l 

• 

i 

1 

1 

• 

I 

• 

' 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 


o 

b 

L/1 

1,000 

-j 

o 

u> 

200 

o 

400 


00 

o 

300 

300 


Superfund 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 


<1 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 






























Glyphosate 

Freon-113 (1,1,2-Trichloro-l ,2,2,- 

trifluoroethane) 

Freon-12 (see Dichlorodifluoromethane) 

Freon-11 (see Fluorotrichloromethane) 

Formaldehyde 

Fonofos 

Fluorotrichloromethane (Freon-11) 

Fluorene 

Fluometuron 

Fenamiphos 

Ethylene thiourea (ETU) 

Ethyl ether 

Ethylene glycol 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

1071836 

76131 



50000 

944229 

75694 

86737 

2164172 

22224926 

96457 

60297 

107211 

n 

> : 

CO 

m 

I 




D 

o 

a 

a 

U 

B2 

- 

O 

Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

■ 

i 



• 

I 

i 

i 

i 

l 

30 

• 

I ( 

||1 

Cancer 

Risk 

(ug/L) 

4.000 

l,100,000 a 



5,000 

70 

10,000 

1,400 

400 

vO 

u> 

c 

40,000 

DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 

1.000 

1 



5,000 

20 

3,000 

l 

2,000 

L/\ 

100 

' 

6,000 

Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

700/700 

1 



I 

I 

1 

i 

i 

i 

I 

1 

■ 

M CL/ 
MCLG 

(ug/L) 

• 

1 



i 

I 

1 

• 

i 

• 

i 

1 

l 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

* 

1,100,000 



5,000 

20 

3,000 

1,400 

400 

LA 

u> 

7,000 

6,000 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 

Superfund 


00 

o 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 
































00 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 































REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 



























Pentachlorophenol 

Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) 

Paraquat 

Oxyamyl 

Octachlorocamphene (see Toxaphene) 

Nitrophenols p- 

Nitroguanidine 

Naphthalene 

Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene) 

Monochloroacetic acid (Chloroacetic acid) 

Metribuzin 

Metolachlor 

Methylene chloride (see Dichloromethane) 

Methylene bromide (see Dibromomethane) 

Methyl tert butyl ether 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

87865 

82688 

1910425 

23135220 


25154556 

556887 

91203 

108907 

79118 

21087649 

51218452 



1634044 

o 

> 

GO 

CO 

tG 

n 

09 

m 

tfl 


O 

a 

O 

o 

i 

U 

n 



o 

Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

GJ 

o 

1 

■ 

1 


I 

i 

• 

i 

i 

i 

i 



• 

io- 4 

Cancer 

Risk 

(ug/L) 

1.000 

8 

o: 

200 

900 


8 

4,000 

100 

700 

o 

V 

006 

3,500 



8 

cT 5 

qq ^ 

f-| w 

t? 

Standards and Health Advisories 

300 

• 

G/l 

o 

8 


800 

10,000 

400 

2,000 

1 

8 

1,000 



500 

Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

© 

1 

• 

200/200 


i 

■ 

I 

100/100 

1 

i 

i 



• 

<5. Qo 

C SC 

GJ 

o 

1 

• 

i 


i 

1 

l 

700 

1 

■ 

• 



I 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

GJ 

o 

to 

o 

C/l 

o 

200 


300 

4,000 

100 

700 

'-J 

o 

300 

2,000 



1,000 

Superfund 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 


00 

u> 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 
































Simazine 

RDX (Hexahydro-l,3,5-trinitro- 1,3,5- 

triazine) 

Pyrene 

Propham 

Propazine 

Propachlor 

Pronamide (Kerb) 

Prometon 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 

Picloram 

Phenol 

Perchloroethylene (see Tetrachloroethylene) 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

122349 

121824 

129000 

122429 

139402 

1918167 

23950585 

1610180 

1336363 

1918021 

108952 


CAS# 

n 

O 

U 

O 

n 

D 

n 

o 

CO 

to 

a 

o 


Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

i 

u> 

o 

i 

l 

i 

1 

i 

1 ; 

© 

L* 

i 

i 


'P' 

CD 

w H 

200 

100 

1,100 

009 

700 

500 

000‘£ 

500 

i 

2,000 

20,000 


DWEL 

(ug/L) 

Standards and Health Advisories 

o 

8 

1 

5,000 

500 

100 

800 

200 

i 

700 

6,000 


Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

4/4 

i 

■ 

■ 

l 

■ 

I 

i 

o 

o 

500/500 

• 


MCL/ 

MCLG 

(ug/L) 

l | 

i 

1 

I 

I 

i 

i 

I 

0.5 

I 

l 


URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

£ 

100 

oon 

009 

500 

100 

800 

200 

0.5 

700 

6,000 


Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 

Superfund 


CD 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 




























Toxaphene (Octachlorocamphene) 

Toluene 

Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloro-ethylene) 

Tetrachloroethane (1,1,2,2-) 

Tetrachloroethane (1,1,1,2-) 

Terbufos 

Terbacil 

Temik (see Aldicarb) 

Tebuthiuron 

TCDD (2,3,7,8-) (v) (Dioxin) 

Tackle (see Acifluorfen) 

H 

UJ 

V 

Ln 

1 

Styrene 

Chemical 

ORGANICS 

8001352 

108883 

127184 

79345 

630206 

13071799 

5902512 


34014181 

1746016 


93765 

100425 

CAS# 

B2 

a 

to 

to 

o 

ec 

n 

O 

m 


a 

B2 

i 

a 

n 

Cancer 

Group 

Cancer Risk 

GJ 

■ 

70 

K> 

O 

tc 

100 

I 

i 


i 

0.00002 


i 

i 

io- 4 

Cancer 

Risk 

(ug/L) 


7,000 

500 

1 

1,000 

C/» 

400 


2,000 

0.00004 


350 

7,000 

c' 5 

qq ^ 

f-i tfl 

r 

Standards and Health Advisories 

1 

2,000 

1,000 

1 

006 

- 

300 


700 

0.00001 


s 

2,000 

Longer- 
term HA 
Child 
(ug/L) 

3/0 

1,000/1,000 

5/0 

' 

I 

1 

- 


i 

0.00003/0 


1 

100/100 

MCL/ 

MCLG 

(ug/L) 

GJ 

I 

0 L 

1 

i 

1 

■ 


l 

I 


1 

1,000 

URTH 

-STAR- 

Level 

(ug/L) 

GJ 

2,000 

70 

20 

900 

- 

S 


700 

0.00003 


350 

1,000 

Superfund 

Removal 

Action 

Level 

(ug/L) 


00 

in 


REMOVAL NUMERIC ACTION LEVELS FOR CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER SITES 

(APRIL 1997) 

























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h Total for all trihalomethanes combined cannot exceed 80 ug/L 
c Total for all haloacetic acids cannot exceed 60 ug/L 

J Technical Guide (tg); 2,4- and 2,6-DDinitrotoluene are unlikely to occur alone 
e Based on special considerations 



Xylenes, mixed 

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Vinyl cloride 

Trinitrotoluene (2,4,6-) 

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Chloramines (measured free chlorine) 

Cadmium 

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Boron 

Beryllium 

Barium 

Asbestos Fibers > 10 um 

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Lead at tap 

Hypochlorous acid 

Hypochlorite 

Fluoride 

Cyanide 

Copper 

Chromium, total 

Chromium VI (see Chromium, total) 

Chromium III (see Chromium, total) 

Chlorite 

Chlorine dioxide 

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- 




























































































APPENDIX 1 


Toxicology 


Exposure to hazardous chemicals may produce a wide range of 
adverse health effects. The likelihood of an adverse health effect 
occurring, and the severity of the effect, are dependent on the toxicity 
of the chemical, route of exposure, and the nature and extent of 
exposure to dose from that substance. In order to better understand 
potential health effects, emergency personnel should have an 
understanding of the basic principles and terminology of toxicology. 

Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on 
living organisms. 

Types of Toxic Hazards 

1. Systemic poisons - Systemic poisons are chemical agents which 
act on specific target organs or organ systems. Systemic poisons 
are divided into the following categories: 

• Anesthetics/narcotics (e.g. ethyl ether). 

• Compounds damaging liver function (e.g. carbon 
tetrachloride and tetrachloroethane). 

• Compounds damaging kidney function (e.g. halogenated 
hydrocarbons such as chloroform). 







A94 


TOXICOLOGY 


A94 


• Compounds damaging the nervous system (e.g. ethanol, 
carbon disulfide, and organophosphates). 

• Compounds damaging blood/circulatory system (e.g. 
benzene and phenols). 

2. Asphyxiants - Asphyxiants are agents which deprive the tissues 
of oxygen. This group is divided into simple or chemical 
asphyxiants and both simple and chemical asphyxiants. 

• The simple asphyxiants act by diluting or displacing 
atmospheric oxygen, which lowers the concentration of 
oxygen in air. Breathing air with a low oxygen 
concentration causes insufficient oxygen in the blood and 
tissues. This can cause headache, loss of consciousness, and 
eventually death. Examples of simple asphyxiants are 
aliphatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane. 

• Chemical asphyxiants act in one of two ways: 

- The first type of chemical asphyxiant prevents the uptake 
of oxygen in the blood. For example, carbon monoxide 
interferes with the transport of oxygen to the tissues by 
strongly binding with hemoglobin to form carboxy 
hemoglobin which leaves inadequate hemoglobin 
available for oxygen transport. 

- The second type of chemical asphyxiant does not permit 
normal oxygen transfer from the blood to the tissues or 
within the cell itself. Hydrogen cyanide is an example 
of this type. 

• Some compounds can act as both simple and chemical 
asphyxiants. Hydrogen sulfide, which is extremely toxic, is 
an example. 

An important aspect of asphyxia and respiratory toxicants is 
the effect of oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Normal oxygen 





A95 


TOXICOLOGY 


A95 


oxygen content in air ranges from 19.5 percent to 23.5 
percent. Some atmospheres, such as those generated 
during a fire or hazardous material release, contain less 
oxygen. For this reason, it is imperative that the oxygen 
content of any atmosphere be determined before the 
selection of respiratory protective equipment. Confined 
space entries represent an especially hazardous exposure 
situation. Particular attention should be paid to the 
presence of combustible or explosive atmospheres, as 
volatile organic vapors can collect rapidly within a 
confined space. Attention should also be paid to low-lying 
areas, where vapors heavier than air can collect. 

EFFECTS OF OXYGEN CONCENTRATION ON HUMANS 


PERCENT 

OXYGEN 

EFFECTS 

>23.5 

Explosive atmosphere, keep out! 

21-16 

Nothing abnormal 

16-12 

Loss of peripheral vision 

Rapid breathing and heart rate 

Impaired coordination 

12-10 

Poor judgement and coordination 
Excessive fatigue 

Permanent heart damage 

Sparse breathing 

10-6 

Nausea 

Loss of movement 

Unconsciousness followed by death 

Less than 6 

Spasmodic breathing 

Convulsive movements 

Death 














A96 


TOXICOLOGY 


A96 


3. Irritants - Irritants are materials that cause inflammation of 
tissues. The mechanism of irritation is by either corrosive or 
drying action and may affect the eyes, skin, respiratory membranes 
or gastrointestinal tract. The irritant must come in direct contact 
with tissue to cause an inflammation reaction. Consequently, skin, 
eye, and respiratory irritants are the greatest concern for response 
personnel. 

• Examples of skin irritants are acids, alkalies, solvents, and 
detergents. 

• Examples of respiratory irritants are ozone, ammonia, hydrogen 
chloride, and nitrogen dioxide. 

4. Pneumoconiosis - Pneumoconiosis is the reaction of the tissues 
due to accumulation of dust in the lungs. Chronic inhalation of 
mineral dust such as silica and asbestos can result in 
pneumoconiosis. 

5. Allergic sensitizers - Sensitizers affect the immune system of 
the exposed person, causing a delayed hypersensitivity to the 
sensitizing agent. The allergic reaction shows one or more 
symptoms, which can range from discomfort from poison ivy to a 
fatal reaction from isocyanates. 

• Examples of skin sensitizers are poison ivy and formaldehyde. 

• Examples of respiratory sensitizers are sulfur dioxide and 
isocyanate. 

6. Mutagens - A mutagen is any substance that affects genetic 
material in the lab or in a live animal. Thousands of mutagens 
have been identified through the use of tests like the Ames 
Salmonella Assay. Mutagenesis is not a symptom or a disease, but 
a mechanism by which diseases may develop. 

• Examples of mutagens are ionizing radiation, benzene and 
hydrogen peroxide. 








A97 


TOXICOLOGY 


A97 


7. Carcinogens - Carcinogens cause cancer in lab animals or in 
humans. 

• Examples of carcinogens are poly bis-chloromethyl ether, 
polynuclear aromatics, and 13-napthtylamine. 

8. Teratogens - Teratogens cause damage to the unborn children 
of the exposed person by a number of mechanisms. Maternal 
alcohol abuse throughout pregnancy is the most important single 
cause of drug-induced teratogenesis. Another example of a 
teratogen is thalidomide. 

9. Biological agents - Categories of biological agents include: 

• viruses, such as HIV (which causes AIDS) 

• bacteria, such as Streptococcus 

• fungi, such as yeasts and ringworm 

• parasites, such as Entamoeba histolytica 

• rickettsia, such as Rickettsia rickettsi 

Routes of Exposure 

The route by which personnel are exposed to a compound plays a 
role in determining the total amount of the compound taken up by the 
body because a compound may be absorbed following exposure by one 
route more readily than by another. In addition to the route of 
exposure, the amount of the compound absorbed by the body depends 
on the duration of exposure to the compound and the concentration of 
the compound to which one is exposed. Therefore, a complex 
relationship exists between the total amount of the compound absorbed 
by the body (dose) and the concentration of that compound in the 
environment. This relationship is important for emergency response 
personnel to understand because the adverse effects produced by a toxic 
compound are often related to the dose of that compound received by 
the person. However, because we usually only monitor the 
concentration of the toxic substance in the environment (e.g., parts per 
million (ppm) of a compound in air), the actual dose of the compound 
received by the person is seldom known. Factors specific to the 








A98 


TOXICOLOGY 


A98 


exposed person, such as size of the skin surface area exposed, presence 
of an open wound or breaks in the skin, and rate and depth of 
respiration, are important in estimating the dose of the compound 
received by the person. 

There are only four pathways for substances to enter the body: 

• contact with skin, eye, and hair 

• inhalation 

• ingestion 

• injection 

Inhalation 

Inhalation of toxic agents generally results in a rapid and effective 
absorption of the compounds into the blood stream because of the large 
surface area of the lung tissue and number of blood vessels in the 
lungs. 

The toxic effects of particulates depend on the physical and 
chemical properties of the particles in question and on the particle size. 
Larger particles settle in the upper portions of the system to be 
removed by ciliary action. The smaller the particle, however, the 
greater ability it has to travel deep into the small spaces of the lung, 
thus potentially causing greater harm. Once small particles are 
deposited in the lower portions of the lungs, their fate includes: 

• Absorption into the bloodstream (particles of greater than 5.0 
micrometers do not normally diffuse through cell walls). 

• Removal through phagocytosis, a process in which immune cells 
attempt to remove the particles by incorporating them into their cell 
structure. 

• Cell toxicity resulting in fibrotic (scar-like) tissue formation and 
decreased gas exchange area. 

Certain types of particulates, such as asbestos and silica, can not be 
effectively eliminated by the body. Incomplete removal results in 




A99 


TOXICOLOGY 


A99 


irritation and death of the cell, causing further immune response. 
Irritation may be severe enough to cause fibrosis of portions of the lung 
or a cancerous growth. 

Absorption 

Absorption of toxic agents as a route of exposure refers to the 
passage of toxicants through either the skin, eyes, or other openings in 
the body. Absorption is the second most common route of exposure to 
hazardous materials, and frequently occurs through direct contact 
between the chemical and the skin of the exposed person. 

The skin serves as a barrier to prevent most foreign substances 
from entering the body. It also functions to preserve the components 
of the body. The skin has three layers: 1) the epidermis, the 
outermost layer, is composed of mostly dead cells that adhere to the 
living tissue underneath and is responsible for the skin’s effectiveness 
as a barrier; 2) the dermis, a layer of loose connective tissue, contains 
the blood vessels closest to the skin surface and is actively involved in 
wound repair; and 3) the hypodermis, the innermost layer, contains 
connective and adipose (fat) tissue. 

The absorption of chemicals through the skin is called percutaneous 
absorption. It depends upon: 

• The integrity of the skin. 

• The vehicle through which the toxicant is administered. 

• The type of toxicant. 

Factors that facilitate percutaneous absorption include: 

• Reduced integrity of the outer skin layer. 

• Increased hydration of the skin. 

• Increased temperature of the skin. 

• Altered skin pH. 

• Increased blood flow to the skin. 

• Increased concentration of the toxicant. 

• Decreased particle size of the toxicant. 

• Electrically induced movement of the toxicant. 

• The addition of agents that react with the skin surface. 





A100 


TOXICOLOGY 


A100 


Skin contact does not typically result in as rapid of a systemic 
dosage as inhalation, although some chemicals are readily absorbed 
through the skin. Many organic compounds are lipid (fat) soluble and 
can therefore be rapidly absorbed through the skin. 

The same chemicals that can damage the skin can damage the eye. 
The eyes are actually more sensitive to exposure than the skin due to 
their high fluid content and lack of a barrier. The primary concerns 
with exposure to ocular toxicants are: 

• Local effects - direct effects caused by the application of a chemical 
to the cornea. 

• Systemic effects - effects to other organs or organ systems in the 
body, caused by the application of a chemical to the eye. 

• Ocular side effects - effects which occur in the eye from exposure 
to toxicants through other routes of exposure such as inhalation and 
ingestion. 

The types of chemicals noted for their ocular toxicity are acids, 
bases, organic solvents, detergents, and lacrimators. Acids affect the 
eye by reacting with protein in the tissues and by dehydrating the 
tissues. Treatment involves flushing the eye with large amounts of 
water. Generally, the greater the concentration of the acid, the greater 
ability it has to induce harm. 

Alkaline substances (bases) act on the eye in a very different 
manner than acidic ones. Bases produce the same initial effects as 
acids, due to the pH of the base and the heat produced during reaction. 
However, contrary to acid bums, the effects observed immediately after 
exposure to an alkaline substance are not a good indication of the total 
effects of exposure because latent effects may continue to occur up to 
two weeks after exposure. An example of the impact of an alkaline 
substance on the eye is exposure to sodium hydroxide (NaOH); 
irrigation of the eye with a concentrated solution of NaOH for more 
than three minutes could cause catastrophic changes in the cornea 
leading to complete opacification (clouding) within a week to ten days 
after exposure. Other alkaline substances that are potent ocular 
toxicants include potassium hydroxide and ammonia. 




A101 


TOXICOLOGY 


A101 


Organic solvents react with the proteins and fats in the eye, causing 
severe pain. Damage is usually not extensive and can be reversed. In 
the case of heated solvents, there is the threat of burning, resulting in 
damage that is often severe and unpredictable. Examples of organic 
solvents include ethanol, toluene, and acetone. 

Detergents react to lower the surface tension of the liquids in the 
eye, causing pronounced irritation followed by extensive tearing. 
Concentrated doses can cause severe bums with permanent fogging of 
the cornea. Examples of detergents include household cleaning agents, 
emulsifying agents, wetting agents, and antifoaming agents. 

Lacrimators are chemical compounds or mixtures which have the 
ability to induce instant tearing at very low concentrations without 
reacting with the tissues of the eye. High concentrations can cause 
tissue damage. Examples include mace (tear gas) and smog. 

Ingestion 

The ingestion of hazardous substances is the third most frequent 
route of exposure in humans. Ingestion of hazardous substances occurs 
through the consumption of: 

• Contaminated waters. 

• Fish from contaminated waters. 

• Contaminated plants and animals. 

• Incidental ingestion of soils and dusts. 

Exposure to toxicants through ingestion is of most concern with 
young children who can ingest large amounts of soil every day in the 
course of normal play activities. Young children are also particularly 
susceptible to the adverse effects of some contaminants (lead, for 
example) that may be ingested. 

Once a toxicant is ingested, it enters the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. 
The GI tract is essentially a long tube beginning at the lips and ending 
at the anus, and includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and 
large intestine. Throughout the course of the GI tract, ingested 
toxicants can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Absorption primarily 
occurs in three main areas of the GI tract: the stomach, the small 
intestine, and the large intestine. 




A102 


TOXICOLOGY 


A102 


The human liver has sophisticated mechanisms for the detoxification 
of foreign substances. These mechanisms include enzymatic reactions 
and excretion to the bile and urine. Liver functions can, however, 
convert a substance into an even more toxic form. In addition, 
detoxification mechanisms are easily overridden, particularly in cases 
of exposure to multiple agents or to large doses of a single agent. 

Exposure to toxic chemicals through the GI tract can result in both 
local and systemic effects. Local effects include the reaction of the 
chemical with the exposed internal surface of the GI tract, as in the 
case of bums from acid ingestion. Systemic effects result from 
absorption of the chemical into the bloodstream and transport to critical 
organs. 

Ingestion is a less common route of exposure for emergency 
personnel at hazardous material incidents, although incidental hand to 
mouth contact, smoking and swallowing saliva and mucus containing 
trapped airborne contaminants can cause exposure by this route. Even 
so, toxicity by mouth is of a lower order because the gastrointestinal 
lining resists the transport of most toxic agents. 

Injection 

Injection refers to the combination of toxic exposure with a physical 
trauma, such as a laceration. This route of exposure, although less 
common than the others, should be considered very dangerous, since 
the toxicant is being directly injected into the bloodstream of the 
exposed person. Proper site safety practices (e.g., the buddy system) 
can be effective in preventing injection exposures. 

Some significant exposures have occurred by injection. Animal 
bites fall into this category. 

Biological Variation 

Biological variation is the term used for the occurrence of differing 
susceptibilities in a population exposed to a toxic chemical. Factors 
that contribute to biological variation include sex, age, nutritional 
status, weight, metabolic type, and state of health. Biological variation 
is accounted for in all models of toxicological testing. 




A103 


TOXICOLOGY 


A103 


Dose-Response Relationship 

The effect produced by a toxic compound is a function of the dose 
of the compound received by the organism. This principle, termed the 
dose-response relationship, is a key concept in toxicology. Typically, 
as the dose increases, the severity of the toxic response increases. 

1. The carcinogens - Carcinogenesis does not have a threshold. 
Thus, there can never be a zero response (or risk); even the 
smallest dose will result in some finite risk. It should be noted that 
the most conservative model is the linear (or one-hit) model. This 
is the most conservative, because the model predicts a given 
response (or risk) at the lowest allowable level of exposure. 





A104 


TOXICOLOGY 


A104 



Results of alternative extrapolation models for the 
same experimental data. NOTE: Dose-response 
functions were developed (Crump, in press) for 
data from a benzopyrene carcinogenesis 
experiment with mice conducted by Lee and 
O’Neill (1971). 

2. Non-carcinogens - A dose response curve is sought from the 
literature for the most sensitive biological system in an experimental 
animal model. 










A105 


TOXICOLOGY 


A105 



No effect level (NEL): NEL is the dose which will produce no effect 
in the most sensitive biological system for which data can be found. 
To add an additional measure of safety for extrapolation to humans, 
this NEL is further divided by a safety factor of 100 to yield an 
allowable level of exposure for humans. If other data, either animal or 
human epidemiologic, suggest a lower level of concern for the 
compound under review, then the NEL may be divided by 10. 
Conversely, if other data suggests a higher level of concern, then the 
NEL may be divided by 1,000. This approach of a threshold "no 
effect level," coupled with the use of a safety factor ranging from 10 
to 1,000 has served the FDA, the food industry and the American 
public. 

Exposure to Chemical Mixture 

Emergency health threat determinations involving mixtures are 
complex and difficult to make because little is known about the toxic 
properties of a mixture of compounds. Chemicals in a mixture can 
interact with each other and with the body to produce any one of the 
four following effects: 







A106 


TOXICOLOGY 


A106 


• Additive Effects (e.g., 2+3+4 = 9). These effects are produced 
when the combined effect of the chemicals is equal to the sum of 
the individual effects of all the chemicals in the mixture. Examples 
of a mixture that produces additive effects are organophosphate 
pesticides such as parathion and malathion. 

• Synergistic Effects (e.g., 2+3+4=27). Effects that are greater 
than the sum of the component chemicals in the mixture are said to 
be synergistic effects. An example of a synergistic effect is the 
combined effects of cigarette smoke and asbestos; smokers show a 
strikingly higher cancer rate from asbestos exposure than do 
nonsmokers. 

• Potentiation Effects (e.g., 0+2 = 10). One of the chemicals in a 
mixture may not itself be particularly toxic, but it reacts to increase 
the toxicity of another chemical in the mixture, producing 
potentiation effects. An example of a potentiation effect is the 
increased toxicity observed with carbon tetrachloride (CC1 4 ) 
exposure accompanied by isopropanol. Isopropanol is considered 
to be relatively nontoxic when administered by itself. However, 
when administered with CC1 4 , it excerbates the toxicity of CC1 4 by 
preventing detoxification mechanisms in the liver from reacting 
with CC1 4 molecules. 

• Antagonistic Effects (e.g., 4+(-4)= 0). A mixture in which one or 
more of the chemicals present inhibits the toxicity of other 
compounds in the mixture is said to produce antagonistic effects. 
Antagonistic actions between chemicals serve as the basis for 
antidotal therapy. 

NOTE: Exposure criteria for chemical mixtures do not exist and 
other information can be very difficult to gather. In 
situations involving exposure to a mixture of chemicals, it 
is advisable to assemble a team of experts, including 
chemists and toxicologists, to characterize the situation 
completely. 




A107 


TOXICOLOGY 


A107 


Toxicity Information 

Toxicity information is often expressed as the dose of the compound 
that causes an effect in a percentage of the exposed subjects, which are 
mostly experimental animals. These dose-response terms are often 
found in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and other sources of 
health information. One dose-response term that is commonly used is 
the lethal dose 50 (LD 50 ), the dose which is lethal to 50 percent of an 
animal population from exposure by any route other than inhalation 
when given all in one dose. Another similar term is the lethal 
concentration 50 (LC 50 ), which is the concentration of a material in air 
that on the basis of respiratory exposure in laboratory tests is expected 
to kill 50 percent of a group of test animals when administered as a 
single exposure (usually 1 hour). 


ACUTE LD^ VALUES FOR 
REPRESENTATIVE CHEMICALS 
WHEN ADMINISTERED ORALLY TO 

RATS 

Chemical 

Acute Oral LD^ 
(mg/kg)* 

Sodium cyanide 

6.4 - 10 

Pentachlorophenol 

50 - 230 

Chlordane 

83 - 560 

Lindane 

88 - 91 

Toluene 

2600 - 7000 

Tetrachloroethylene 

3000 - 3800 

* Milligrams of the compound administered 
per kilogram body weight of the 
experimental animal. 















A108 


t 


TOXICOLOGY 


A108 


From the above table it can be seen that a dose of 3000 to 3800 
mg/kg tetrachloroethylene is lethal to 50 percent of rats that received 
the compound orally; however, only 6.4 to 10 mg/kg of sodium 
cyanide is required to produce the same effect. Therefore, compounds 
with lower LD 50 values are more acutely toxic than substances with 
higher LD 50 values. 

The LD 50 values that appear in an MSDS or in literature must be 
used with caution by emergency medical personnel. These values are 
an index of only one type of response and give no indication of the 
ability of the compound to cause non-lethal, adverse or chronic effects. 
Furthermore, LD 50 values typically come from experimental animal 
studies. 




A109 


TOXICOLOGY 


A109 


FACTORS INFLUENCING TOXICITY 

TYPE 

EXAMPLES 

Factors related to the 
chemical. 

Composition (salt, freebase, 
etc.); physical characteristics 
(size, liquid, solid, etc.); 
physical properties 
(volatility, solubility, etc.); 
presence of impurities; 
breakdown products; 
carriers. 

Factors related to 
exposure. 

Dose; concentration; route of 
exposure (inhalation, 
ingestion, etc.); duration. 

Factors related to 
person exposed. 

Heredity; immunology; 
nutrition; hormones; age; 
sex; health status; pre¬ 
existing diseases. 

Factors related to 
environment. 

Media (air, water, soil, etc.); 
additional chemicals present; 
temperature; air pressure. 


Exposure Limits 

The concept of the various occupational exposure limits which are 
found in literature or in an MSDS, are based primarily on time- 
weighted average limits, ceiling values or ceiling concentration limits 
to which the worker can be exposed without adverse effects. 













A110 


TOXICOLOGY 


A110 


EXAMPLES OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS 

Value 

Abbreviation 

Definition 

Threshold 
Limit Value 

3 types 
(ACGIH)* 

TLV 

Refers to airborne 
concentrations of substances 
and represents conditions under 
which it is believed that nearly 
all workers may be repeatedly 
exposed day after day without 
adverse effect. 

1) 

Threshold 
Limit Value 
- Time- 
Weighted 
Average 
(ACGIH)* 

TLV-TWA 

The time-weighted average 
concentration for a normal 8- 
hour workday and a 40-hour 
workweek, to which nearly all 
workers may be repeatedly 
exposed, day after day, without 
adverse effect. 

2) 

Threshold 
Limit Value 
- Short- 
Term 

Exposure 

Limit 

(ACGIH)* 

TLV-STEL 

The concentration to which 
workers can be exposed 
continuously for a short period 
of time without suffering from: 

1) irritation, 2) chronic or 
irreversible tissue damage, or 

3) narcosis of sufficient degree 
to increase the likelihood of 
accidental injury, impair self¬ 
rescue, or materially reduce 
work efficiency, and provided 
that the daily TLV-TWA is not 
exceeded. 

3) 

Threshold 
Limit Value 
- Ceiling 
(ACGIH)* 

TLV-C 

The concentration that should 
not be exceeded during any 
part of the working exposure. 













Alll 


TOXICOLOGY 


Alll 


EXAMPLES OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS 

Value 

Abbreviation 

Definition 

Permissible 

Exposure 

Limit 

(OSHA)** 

PEL 

Same as TLV-TWA. 

Immediately 
Dangerous 
to Life and 
Health 
(OSHA)** 

IDLH 

A maximum concentration (in 
air) from which one could 
escape within 30-minutes 
without any escape-impairing 
symptoms or any irreversible 
health effects. 

Recommend 
ed Exposure 
Limit 

(NIOSH)*** 

REL 

Highest allowable airborne 
concentration that is not 
expected to injure a worker; 
expressed as a ceiling limit or 
time-weighted average for an 8 
or 10 hour work day. 

* American Conference of Governmental Industrial 

Hygienists 

** Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
*** National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 


The values listed in the above table were established to provide 
worker protection in occupational settings. Because the settings in 
which those values are appropriate are quite different from an 
uncontrolled spill site, it is difficult to interpret how these values should 
be used by emergency personnel dealing with a hazardous materials 
incident. At best, TLV, PEL, IDLH, and REL values can be used as 
benchmarks for determining relative toxicity, and perhaps to assist in 
selecting appropriate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE). 
Furthermore, these occupational exposure limits are only useful if the 
















A112 


TOXICOLOGY 


A112 


appropriate instrumentation is available for measuring the levels of 
toxic chemicals in the air at the chemical spill site. It should be noted 
that with the above Occupational Exposure Limit values, only the 
OSH A values are regulatory limits. The ACGIH values are for 
guidance only and are not regulatory limits. 

MCL 

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level). MCLs are mandated by the 
Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) of 1972 and are established by the 
National Academy of Sciences and EPA to regulate contaminants in 
public drinking water supplies. MCL values are changed regularly to 
reflect improvements in treatment technologies. 

Frequently, one chemical will have several exposure values 
associated with it. The field investigator should evaluate these numbers 
on the basis of the tasks to be performed on site and the personal 
protection equipment to be used to ensure exposure limits are not 
exceeded. Within this context, the most conservative exposure value 
(i.e., the lowest value) should be chosen to provide for the greatest site 
security. 

Practical Considerations 

The answers to the following questions will dictate how response 
personnel are protected (type of respiratory and protective gear 
employed): 

• What toxic agent is present? 

• How much of the agent is present? 

• How will it enter the body? 

• How will it affect the body? 




APPENDIX 2 


Environmental Media 


Air, soil, and water are the environmental media through which 
exposure to toxic substances occurs. Awareness of the properties of 
each medium aids in evaluating routes of exposure and in determining 
sample locations. In making these determinations, it is also important 
to consider the impact the prevailing weather conditions in an area have 
on the air, soil, and water on site. 

Air 

Air contaminants may pose an inhalation, ingestion, and direct 
contact threat to the public over very large areas downwind of the site. 
Sudden, unexpected shifts in wind direction are of particular concern 
because they can cause exposure to site workers and the public in areas 
previously considered to be safe. Wind direction and speed are the 
primary factors governing transport of air contaminants -- both gases 
and particulates. Winds arise from horizontal pressure gradients in the 
atmosphere and can change rapidly in direction and speed in the 
vicinity of fronts. Some locations, such as mountainous areas and areas 
along large lakes, experience diurnal fluctuations in wind direction 
caused by daily temperature changes. These daily changes also 
enhance contaminant dispersion. 







A114 


ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA 


A114 


Air releases include volatilization from contaminated soils, 
covered landfills (with and without internal gas generation), spills and 
leaks from containment facilities, and lagoons. Contaminant releases 
into the atmosphere may also consist of fugitive dusts resulting from 
wind erosion of contaminated soils and from traffic over contaminated, 
unpaved roadways. When a stable suspension of dust or other solid 
particles or of liquid droplets in air occurs, it is called an aerosol. 

Temperature and atmospheric pressure influence the rate of air 
releases. With increasing temperature, the rate of volatilization of 
compounds tends to increase. Volatiles may be released from liquids 
even on cold days because solar radiation can increase the temperature 
of a liquid more rapidly than the temperature of air. Temperature also 
governs atmospheric stability, which is the degree to which the 
atmosphere dampens vertical motion. In an unstable atmosphere, the 
temperature decreases rapidly with increasing elevation, resulting in 
turbulence (wind). In a stable atmosphere, the temperature may remain 
constant throughout the column of air or, in the case of an inversion, 
even increase with elevation. Stable conditions typically occur in late 
afternoon through early morning under clear skies with light winds. 
Atmospheric pressure tends to affect the migration of landfill gases, 
causing a landfill to offgas at a higher rate following low atmospheric 
pressures. When the atmospheric pressure is high, the landfill may 
cease offgassing entirely. 

Humidity is not a factor in the generation and transport of air 
contaminants. It can influence the hazards of a release, however. In 
the case of a release of hydrogen chloride gas, for example, the hazards 
posed by hydrochloric acid should be considered, especially on an 
extremely humid day. 

DISPERSION MECHANISMS 

The relative directional frequencies of wind over a site 
determine the primary direction of movement of airborne contaminants 
- both gases and particulates. Wind speed and direction are influenced 
not only by meteorological conditions, but also by the topography of an 
area. Even tall buildings and other large structures can influence wind 
speed and direction in small, localized areas. 




A115 


ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA 


A115 


Atmospheric stability and wind speeds determine the off-site areas 
to be affected by ambient concentrations of gases. In general, high 
stability and low wind speeds result in higher atmospheric 
concentrations of contaminant gases close to the site. High stability and 
moderate wind speeds result in moderate concentrations over a large 
area downwind of the site. Low stability or high wind speeds cause 
greater dispersion and dilution of contaminants, resulting in lower 
concentrations over larger areas. 

Wind speed is a critical factor in generating airborne contaminated 
particulate material. At higher speeds, the turbulence of the air and its 
forward motion lifts particles into the windstream for transport. Under 
windy conditions, transport of contaminated particulates, especially of 
metals, dioxin, and PCB contamination, can pose significant health 
threats downwind of the site. Transport of contaminated particulates 
is generally not a concern when the soil is wet because of the increased 
threshold wind speed required to make the particles airborne. 

Ambient concentrations of particulate contaminants are controlled 
by particle size distribution as well as by windspeed and stability. 
Large particles settle out rapidly, resulting in decreased atmospheric 
concentrations with distance from the site. Smaller particles remain 
airborne longer and approximate the behavior of gaseous contaminants. 


INTERMEDIA TRANSFER MECHANISMS 

Settleout and rainout are mechanisms of contaminant transfer from 
the atmosphere to surface soils and waters. Contaminants dissolved in 
rainwater may percolate to groundwater, run off or fall directly into 
surface waters, and adsorb to uncontaminated soils. Contaminants can 
enter the food chain through direct intake of the atmosphere by plants 
and animals and through intake of secondarily contaminated soils and 
water. 




A116 


ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA 


A116 


Soils 


Soil represents a medium of direct contact and ingestion threats 
and may be the main source of contaminants released into other media 
(air, water). Direct soil contamination occurs from leaks or spills from 
containers and containment facilities. The spilled liquids and solids 
may be transported through soil or may be partially or fully retained 
within the soil to provide a continuous environmental and/or public 
health threat. At the site of a release and along the release pathway, 
discolored soils, stressed or dead vegetation, and uncharacteristic odors 
may be preliminary indicators of soil contamination. 


DISPERSION MECHANISMS 

To predict the fate and transport of a hazardous substance 
released onto the soil surface, the properties of both the substance 
spilled and the soil must be considered. The mobility of a material in 
soil is influenced by many factors, such as soil type, temperature, 
porosity, and biological and chemical activity, along with the water 
solubility, vapor pressure, and physical state of the substance released. 
Liquid movement is the most significant dispersion mechanism in soils. 
Liquid contaminants percolate directly into soils, and contaminants of 
lower viscosity and/or higher density than water can have percolation 
rates much greater than that of water. Dry, soluble contaminants 
dissolved in precipitation, or in runon or irrigation water can also 
migrate through percolation into the soil and through runoff. The rate 
of movement of solid contaminants through soil is a function of net 
groundwater recharge rates and of contaminant solubility. 

Contaminants with high soil adsorption coefficients (e.g., benzo- 
a-pyrene) may bind (adsorb) to the surface of soil particles through ion 
exchange and become relatively immobile under certain conditions. 
However, adsorbed contaminants may later be desorbed by percolating 
waters, causing the contaminants to become mobile again. Movement 
of airborne or waterborne soil particles with hazardous substances 
adsorbed to the surface also contributes to spread of contamination. 

To determine in detail how a release may behave, it is necessary 
to establish the predominant nature of the soils on site. It is also 




A117 


ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA 


A117 


important to establish whether such underground features as clay layers, 
sink holes, and fractures are present. These and other subsurface 
features can greatly facilitate or retard the spread of contamination and 
influence the direction of movement. 


INTERMEDIA TRANSFER MECHANISMS 

Releases which occur on soils with low runoff potential, such as 
well-drained sandy or gravely soils, have a high infiltration rate. Spills 
on these types of soils will migrate off site rapidly and may present a 
threat to groundwater. Loamy and clay soils with a moderate to high 
runoff potential provide a low infiltration rate and a surface conducive 
to overland flow. Releases occurring on these types of soils may create 
a hazard at some distance to the site as the spilled substance travels 
overland to surface waterways, or as vapors from the substance 
volatilize into the atmosphere or collect in such confined spaces as 
culverts and sewers. Biouptake by plants and soil organisms is another 
transfer mechanism of soil contaminants and one which introduces the 
contaminants to the food chain. 


Water 

Water contamination poses ingestion and direct contact threats. 
Water also transports contaminants through soil and acts as a vehicle 
for intermedia transfer of contaminants to air and soil. Water has two 
important characteristics, its strongly dipolar nature and the ability of 
water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with the oxygen ends of 
adjacent water molecules. The dipolar nature of water is the reason for 
its solvent properties; the force of attraction between the dipole and 
ions on the surface of a contaminant or other substance can cause the 
contaminant to form a solution with water. 

The ability of water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with each 
other accounts for the high dynamic viscosity and high surface tension 
of water, as well as its melting and boiling points. Both the viscosity 
and surface tension of water affect transport of particulate material and 




A118 


ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA 


A118 


material and the movement of groundwater. Viscosity and surface 
tension each decrease as temperature increases. 

The properties of the contaminant are important to consider 
when assessing the threat posed by water contamination. Such 
characteristics as solubility, vapor pressure, specific gravity, and 
dispersability affect the behavior of the contaminant in water and 
influence cleanup techniques. 


DISPERSION MECHANISMS 

Direct surface water contamination occurs from releases into a 
body of water or from contaminated runoff. Dispersion of 
contaminants through surface waterways is affected by currents and 
eddies in rivers, streams, lakes, and estuaries, and also by thermal 
stratification, tidal pumping, and flushing. Contaminant concentrations 
in rivers or streams can be estimated on the basis of rate of 
contaminant introduction and dilution volumes. Estimates of 
contaminant concentrations in estuaries and impoundments are more 
difficult to make because of the variety of transport mechanisms that 
may be involved, causing contaminants to remain concentrated in local 
areas or to disperse rapidly. 

Direct groundwater contamination can occur from liquids and 
solids in lined or unlined landfills, lined or unlined lagoons, 
underground storage tanks, injection wells, or long-term surface 
dumping. Dispersion of contaminants through groundwater is 
influenced by a variety of factors such as the hydraulic conductivity of 
soils; the hydraulic gradient; the presence of impermeable subsurface 
barriers; the presence of discharge areas (e.g., streams that intercept 
ground water flow), and the presence of fissures, cavities, or large 
pores in the bedrock. 


INTERMEDIA TRANSFER MECHANISMS 

An important intermedia transfer mechanism in surface water is 
contaminant transfer to bed sediments, especially in cases where 




A119 


ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA 


A119 


contaminants are in the form of suspended solids or are dissolved, 
hydrophobic substances that can be adsorbed by organic matter in bed 
sediments. Transfer between surface water and bed sediments is 
reversible, and the sediments can act as temporary repositories for 
contaminants, gradually releasing contaminants to surface water. In 
addition, adsorbed or settled contaminants can be transported through 
migration of bed sediments. 

Transfer of contamination between surface water and groundwater 
occurs in areas of substantial surface-groundwater exchange, such as in 
swamps and marshes. Surface water contamination enters the food 
chain through biouptake by plants and animals. Transfer to the 
atmosphere occurs where the surface water is contaminated with 
volatile substances. Such transfer can pose a threat of explosion as 
vapors collect in sewers and other enclosed spaces. High temperatures, 
high surface area-to-volume ratios, high wind conditions, and turbulent 
stream flow increase volatilization rates. Volatiles in groundwater can 
be transferred to the atmosphere at household taps. Inhalation of 
volatiles while bathing may be a potentially significant route of 
exposure for residents whose potable water is contaminated with 
volatile organic compounds. 


































I 








































































APPENDIX 3 


Sampling and Basic 
Data Interpretation 


Together, sampling, sample analysis, and basic interpretation of 
analytical results form the most effective mechanism for obtaining 
definitive information to characterize site conditions, evaluate the 
threats to human health and the environment, support compliance and 
enforcement activities, justify site cleanup activities, and determine 
cleanup effectiveness. 

The type and number of samples collected, the manner in which the 
samples are collected, and the analyses chosen depend on what the EPA 
investigator wants to ascertain. The sampling plan is the vehicle for 
securing a set of quality-controlled samples that reflect site conditions 
accurately and provide the information desired. The sampling plan 
outlines all sample locations, collection procedures, and analytical 
methods to be used in a sampling episode. 

Once the samples have been analyzed by a laboratory, basic 
interpretation of the results can be confusing because of the different 
formats used by various laboratories to report analytical results. 
Nevertheless, there are a few standard terms used by laboratories to 
report the concentrations of the analytes. In addition, quality assurance 
parameters have been established through common laboratory practices 
to provide a means of measuring both the accuracy and precision of 
analysis and of ensuring that no external contamination was introduced 
by sample collection and analysis procedures. 






A122 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A122 


This appendix is divided into four sections. The first section 
covers the topics addressed in the sampling plan. The second defines 
the types of quality assurance samples and a few additional sampling 
terms. The third section covers basic data interpretation, including 
qualifier codes used in sample analysis reports produced by laboratories 
in EPA’s Contract Laboratory Program (CLP). The fourth section 
deals with data validation procedures. 

Sampling Plans 

Complete site sampling plans should address each of the 
following topics to ensure that the appropriate protocols are observed 
during the sample collection and analysis processes and to enable the 
sampling procedures to be duplicated, if necessary. Samples are not 
only used as a source of information for making site decisions, they 
may also be used for legal purposes, so complete documentation of the 
actual sampling event is important. 

• Representative Sample Locations. Representative sampling 
locations depend on the purpose of the sampling activity. The 
intended data use will guide determination of the sampling 
locations and pattern and total number of samples. Contamination 
verification requires fewer samples biased toward suspected areas 
of contamination; such samples may not give an accurate 
presentation of the overall site characterization, however. A better 
overall characterization may be achieved using a grid pattern to 
determine sample locations. Use of a grid system generally 
increases the number of samples collected, thus increasing 
analytical costs. For further information, consult guidance 
documents published by the EPA Office of Solid Waste and 
Emergency Response on representative sampling of soil, water, 
and hazardous wastes and on sample collection and handling 
techniques. 

• Analysis Selection. Specific parameters for analysis must be 
established while assembling the sampling plan. The laboratory 
should be notified and given the EPA-approved method number 




A123 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A123 


and the desired QA/QC information. The analysis selected 
influences the choice of sample equipment, volume, preservation, 
and holding time. A summary of sample container types, 
preservatives, holding times, and analytical methods is included at 
the end of this section. The EPA publication Solid Waste 846 
(SW-846), "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste," gives 
information on analysis methods for hazardous wastes, soils, and 
non-aqueous phase liquids. EPA 500 and 600 publications cover 
test methods for water. 

• Quality Assurance Level. The level of quality assurance (QA) that 
the sampling event must meet should be established at the outset, 
as the level selected affects the sample handling, documentation, 
and analysis procedures used. QA Level 1, the least stringent 
level, requires sample documentation and instrument calibration/ 
performance checks; samples are field screened. 

QA 1 applies when a large amount of data is needed 
quickly and relatively inexpensively, or when preliminary 
screening data does not need to be analyte or concentration 
specific. Examples of activities where QA 1 is appropriate include 
assessing preliminary on-site health and safety, assessing waste 
compatibility, characterizing hazardous waste, and determining 
extent of contamination. 

QA 2, which verifies analytical results, requires external 
laboratory analysis of at least 10 percent of field-screened samples, 
sample documentation, chain-of-custody documentation, 
documentation of sample holding times, and raw instrument data. 
To meet the QA 2 objective, samples are analyzed using rigorous 
methods that provide quantitation and analyte-specific information. 
Examples of activities where QA 2 is appropriate include verifying 
preliminary screening, defining extent and degree of 
contamination, and verifying site cleanup. 

QA 3, the most stringent level, assesses the identity of the 
analyte of interest and the analytical error of the concentration 
level. QA 3 incorporates the specifications for QA 2 and also 
requires the analysis of eight replicate samples to determine 
analytical error and analysis of a performance evaluation sample. 
This level of quality assurance is used when determination of 




A124 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A124 


analytical precision in a certain concentration range is crucial for 
decision making. Examples of activities where QA 3 is 
appropriate include evaluating health risk or environmental impact, 
identifying the source of pollution, and verifying cleanup. 

• Sampling Equipment Selection. The type of sampling equipment 
is dictated by the analysis selection, required sample volume, 
ability of decontamination, equipment composition, and cost. The 
sampling equipment should not introduce contamination into the 
sampling procedure. To avoid this, sampling equipment should be 
disposable or easily decontaminated. Disposable equipment must 
be economical or used when extensive decontamination would be 
required for durable sampling equipment. The equipment must 
also be functional, allowing a sampling team to collect samples 
quickly and efficiently. The composition or construction materials 
of sampling equipment may affect the samples collected and so 
must be considered when selecting equipment. 

• Sampling Volumes. Sampling volumes are directly related to the 
types of chemical analyses that are requested. The laboratory 
requires a precise amount of a sample unique to the specified EPA- 
approved analysis or method. Providing the laboratory with an 
excess of sample volume increases the eventual disposal costs to 
the laboratory and in turn to the samplers. Providing the 
laboratory with insufficient volume can lead to increased field 
sampling costs and to delays. 

• Sampling Containers. The type, size, and composition of sampling 
containers are directly related to the chemical analysis which is 
requested. The size of the container must conform to volume 
requirements specified in the EPA-approved method. The 
container must not release contaminants into the sample or absorb 
material from the sample. The container must ensure that ambient 
air cannot enter into the sample, and conversely, that gas from the 
sample cannot escape to the ambient air. 

• Sample Preservation. Samples are preserved by means of 
environmental controls (e.g., cold storage) or chemical additives 




A125 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A125 


(e.g., nitric acid or sodium hydroxide). The preservation method 
is directly related to the chemical analysis requested. The purpose 
of preservation is to keep the chemical constituents of the samples 
static during handling, packing, and shipment to the laboratory. 
Highly concentrated samples do not usually require preservation. 

• Sample Holding Times. The elapsed time between sample 
collection and laboratory analysis must be within a predetermined 
time frame known as the sample holding time. Each sample 
parameter has a prescribed holding time. Samples analyzed 
beyond the holding time are not truly representative of the sampled 
material. 

• Sample Identification. Each sample must be identified and 
documented to ensure sample tracking is performed. A label is 
made for each sample, reflecting the site name, site location, 
sample number, date and time of sampling, sampler identification, 
preservative used, required analysis, and sampling location 
description. 

• Sample Custody. Chain-of-custody forms are used to track the 
handling of samples once the samples are collected. The samples 
are documented as they are transferred from each handler or to the 
laboratory. The procedure is used to prevent sample tampering 
and to trace the path of a sample in the event of contamination off 
site. Chain-of-custody seals are applied as directed by protocol. 

• Sample Transportation. Samples may be hand delivered to the 
laboratory using government vehicles or they may be shipped by 
a common carrier. Regulations for packaging, marking, labeling, 
and shipping of hazardous materials and wastes are promulgated by 
the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Air carriers which 
transport hazardous materials, in particular, Federal Express, 
require compliance with the current International Air Transport 
Association (IATA) Regulations, which applies to the shipment and 
transport of hazardous materials by air carrier. Hazardous waste 
site samples should not be transported in personal vehicles. 




A126 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A126 



Analytical 

Parameter 

Matrix 

Container 
Type and 
Volume (# 
containers 
req’d) 

Preser¬ 

vative 

degrees 

Celsius 

Holding 

Times 

Trip 

Blanks 

(VOAs) 

Analytical 

Method 

Ref. 


VOA 

S 

40 ml Vial 
(2) 

4 

14 Days 

Yes 

8240 or 
8260/ 

SW846 


VOA 

W 

40 ml Vial 

(3) 

4* 

14 Days 

Yes 

624/CLP 


BNA 

S 

8 oz Glass 

0) 

4 

7 - 40 
Days 


8250 or 
8270 SW- 

846 


BNA 

W 

32 oz 

Amber 

Glass 

(1) 

4 

7 - 40 
Days 


625/CLP 


Pesticide 

S 

8 oz Glass 

(1) 

4 

7 - 40 
Days 


8080/SW-' 

846 

One 

Bottle 

Per 

Medium 

Pesticide 

W 

32 oz 

Amber 

glass 

(1) 

4* 

7 - 40 
Days 


608 

to test 

Pes/ 

PCB 

S 

8 oz Glass 

4 

7 - 40 
Days 


8080/SW- 

846 

PCBs 

Together 

PCB 

W 

32 oz 

Amber 

Glass 

(1) 

4* 

7 - 40 
Days 


608 


P.P. 

Metals 

S 

8 oz Glass 

4 

6 *** 

Months 


SW-846 


P.P. 

Metals 

W 

1 liter Glass 
or poly¬ 
ethylene 
(1) 

hno 3 

pH <2 

4 

*** 

6 

Months 


EPA-600/ 

CFR 40 


Cyanide 

S 

8 oz Glass 

0) 

4 

14 Days 


SW-846 


Cyanide 

W 

1 liter 
Poly¬ 
ethylene 
(1) 

NaOH 
to pH 
> 12 

4 

14 Days 


SW-846 

* 

If resid 

ual chlorine is present, preserve with 0.008% N 2 S 2 0 3 . 


** Only required if dedicated sampling tools are not used. 

*** Exceptions - mercury (28 days) and hexavalent chromium (24 hours - water). 
NOTE: Nitric acid (HN0 3 ); Sodium thiosulfate (N 2 S 2 0 3 ); Hydrochloric Acid (HC1) 





























A127 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A127 


Terminology 

• Accuracy. Accuracy may be defined as the measure of the 
closeness to a true or accepted value. 

• Background sample. A background sample is a sample collected 
upgradient of the area of contamination (either on or off site) 
where there is little chance of migration of contaminants. Properly 
collected background samples indicate the natural composition of 
the matrix and should be considered clean samples. 

• Collocated Sample. A sample collected adjacent to the basic field 
sample, typically one-half to three feet away from the sample 
location. Collocated samples are used to assess variation in the 
immediate area of the basic sample. 

• Field Blank. A field blank is a sample of laboratory pure water 
or certified clean soil which is prepared in the field prior to any 
sampling activities. Analysis of the sample will indicate whether 
contamination was introduced into the samples during the collection 
process. 

• Field Duplicate. A field duplicate (or replicate) is a second sample 
(or set of samples) collected from one sample location and labeled 
for the laboratory as if it were a unique sample. Field duplicates 
are primarily used to check the precision and consistency of the 
sampling procedures used. The field duplicate can also act as a 
check on the analytical procedures. 

• Holding Times. Holding times are the timeframe within which 
the sample must be analyzed to ensure accurate measurement of the 
analytes. Holding times vary depending on the type of analysis to 
be performed. 

• Laboratory Duplicate. Laboratory duplicates are samples prepared 
by the laboratory and analyzed in duplicate to measure analytical 
reproducibility. 




A128 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A128 


• Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicate. A matrix spike sample is 
a sample to which a target compound at a known concentration is 
added during laboratory preparation to measure the accuracy of the 
analysis procedure. A matrix spike duplicate is a second run to 
determine the precision of analysis. Such samples are primarily 
used to check sample matrix interferences, but can be used to 
monitor laboratory performance. 

• Method Blank. A method blank is a sample which is prepared by 
the laboratory to determine if any contamination is being 
introduced during the extraction or analysis procedures. 

• Method Detection Limit. The method detection limit (MDL) is 
the lowest concentration that can be measured if a sample is 
analyzed according to the method procedures. 

• Performance Evaluation Samples. Performance evaluation (PE) 
samples are samples of known concentrations that are available 
from either the EPA or the U.S. Bureau of Standards for 
submission with the field samples to the laboratory. PE samples 
should be of the same or similar matrix as the field samples. PE 
samples are used to check the overall bias of the laboratory and to 
detect any error in the analytical method used. 

• Precision. Precision may be defined as the agreement between the 
numerical values of two or more measurements made in an 
identical fashion. 

• Relative Percent Difference. The relative percent difference 
(RPD) is used to assess the variability of a measurement process. 
Typically, the value represents the difference between the matrix 
spike and the matrix spike duplicate. It can also represent the 
difference between two analysis runs. 

• Rinsate Blank. A rinsate blank is a sample of laboratory pure 
water run over sampling equipment following decontamination. 
Rinsate blanks are used to check decontamination effectiveness. 




A129 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A129 


• Split Samples. Split samples are derived from one large volume 
sample obtained from one location, then thoroughly homogenized, 
and divided into separate portions. Each portion, or split, is 
placed into a separate container and treated as a separate sample. 
Samples can be split two or more ways, and the total sample 
volume depends on the number of splits and the analytic method 
to be used. Split samples are usually collected when a responsible 
party and EPA Enforcement Section or several government 
agencies are involved. Split samples, which typically are sent to 
different laboratories for analysis, act as a check on the laboratory. 

• Surrogate Spike. A surrogate spike refers to a procedure in which 
a non-target compound is added to the sample during laboratory 
preparation to determine the extraction efficiency. Surrogate 
spikes are usually used only with organics. 

• Trip Blank. A trip blank is a sample which is prepared prior to 
the sampling trip using laboratory pure water or certified clean 
soil. This sample travels to the assessment and is kept with the 
other samples but is not opened in the field. Analysis of the trip 
blank will indicate whether the sample containers were 
contaminated prior to the assessment. 




A130 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A130 


Basic Data Interpretation 


CONCENTRATION UNITS FOR ANALYSIS 


Water (Aqueous) 


Soil or Sediment 


Air 


Oils or Organics 


ppm = ug/mL or mg/L 
ppb = ng/mL or ug/L 
ppt = ng/L 

ppm = ug/g or mg/kg 
ppb = ng/g or ug/kg 
ppt = ng/kg 

mg/m 3 , ng/m 3 (temperature and pressure 
dependent) 

ppm or ppb (unitless measurement) 

The concentrations of oils or organics 
should be expressed using the soil units 
listed above. Laboratory results that 
report concentrations for oils or 
organics using water units should be 
questioned. 


GLOSSARY OF SOME COMMON DATA QUALIFIER CODES 
AND TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE EPA CONTRACT 
LABORATORY PROGRAM (CLP) 

CODES RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION 

(indicate confidence concerning presence or absence of compounds) 

U = Not detected. The associated number indicates the 

approximate sample concentration necessary to be 
detected. 

B = Not detected substantially above the level reported in 

laboratory or field blanks. 





A131 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A131 


R = Unreliable result. Analyte may or may not be present in 

the sample. Supporting data is necessary to confirm 
result. 

N = Tentative identification. Consider analyte present. 

Additional sampling and special methods may be needed 
to confirm its presence or absence. 

(NO CODE) = Confirmed identification 

CODES RELATED TO QUANTITATION 
(indicate positive results and sample quantitation limits) 

J = Analyte present; reported value may not be accurate or 

precise. 

K = Analyte present; reported value may be biased high. 

Actual value is expected to be lower. 

L = Analyte present; reported value may be biased low. 

Actual value is expected to be higher. 

UJ = Not detected; quantitation limit may be inaccurate or 

imprecise. 

UL = Not detected; quantitation limit is probably higher. 

OTHER CODES 

Q = 


No analytical result. 






A132 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A132 


Data Validation Procedures 

Data validation is the process by which a qualified data reviewer 
ensures the quality of the laboratory analysis and the reported results. 
The procedures used to validate a data package vary slightly according 
to the type of analysis performed and the instrumentation used. Many 
times, data validation requires the reviewer to draw upon his or her 
analytical experience and expertise to make subjective decisions about 
the quality of a set of results. For this reason, data validation should 
be completed only by qualified persons. 

Data validation procedures vary, depending on the type of 
instrumentation and methods used for analysis. For the sake of 
simplicity, the example below outlines the validation procedures for 
analytical results from a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer 
(GC/MS). While validation of analyses performed on other types of 
instruments would not be an identical process, it would be similar. 

EXAMPLE DATA VALIDATION PROCEDURES FOR GC/MS 

1. Did the laboratory meet the holding times outlined by the 
sampling protocol? 

• If yes, accept data. 

• If no, data should be accepted as estimates only. 

2. Was the GC/MS properly tuned? 

• If yes, accept the data. 

• If no, reject all GC/MS data because compounds may be 
misidentified. 

3. Was the instrument properly calibrated? 

• If yes, accept the data. 

• If no, data should be accepted as estimates only. 

4. Were method blanks free of contamination? 

• If yes, accept the data; further action is not required. 

• If no, determine if the contamination was the result of a 

common laboratory chemical. Sample data should only be 
rejected if the analyte concentration is less than three 
times the contaminant concentration in the blank. 




A133 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A133 


5. Were field blanks free of contamination? 

• If yes, accept the data; further action is not required. 

• If no, determine if the contamination was the result of a 
common laboratory chemical. Sample data should only be 
rejected if the analyte concentration is less than three times the 
contaminant concentration in the blank. 

6. Were the surrogate spike recoveries for all organics acceptable? 

• If yes, accept the data. 

• If no, evaluate each sample on an individual basis and accept 
or reject the data as necessary. 

7. Were the matrix spike recoveries and the relative percent 
differences values acceptable? 

• If yes, the laboratory has demonstrated good precision and 
accuracy; accept the data. 

• If no, evaluate on per compound basis. 

Additional Guidance Documents 

-1986. EPA. "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste," SW-846. 
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Washington, DC. 
November. 

1990. EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). "Quality 
Assurance/Quality Control Guidance for Removal Activities: Sampling 
QA/QC Plan and Data Validation Procedures." Interim Final. 
EPA/540/G-90/004. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. 
Washington, DC. April. 

1993. EPA. "Region III Modifications to the Laboratory Data 
Validation Functional Guidelines for Evaluating Inorganic Analyses." 
EPA Region III Office of Analytical Services and Quality Assurance. 
Annapolis, MD. April. 

1994. EPA. "Region III Modifications to National Functional 
Guidelines for Organic Data Review, Multi-Media, Multi-Concentration 
(OLMOl .O-OLMOl .9). EPA Region III Office of Analytical Services 
and Quality Assurance. Annapolis, MD. September. 




A134 SAMPLING AND BASIC DATA INTERPRETATION A134 


U.S. Office of Federal Register. "Code of Federal Regulations," 40 
CFR, Part 136. Office of Federal Register National Archives and 
Records Administration. Washington, DC. 




APPENDIX 4 


Container Silhouettes 


By using common sense, looking at what a container is made of and how 
it is constructed, responders can get some quick clues and general ideas 
about the material inside. Look for things like the construction material 
of the container (steel, stainless steel, plastic, fiberboard, glass, etc.) to 
make a rough determination as to its contents. Steel containers usually 
do not contain corrosive materials or oxidizing materials because these 
materials corrode steel. Plastic containers usually do not contain solvents 
or flammable materials because these materials usually dissolve plastics. 
Stainless steel containers are expensive to construct and are usually 
reserved for very corrosive materials or very strong oxidizers (materials 
which may destroy other types of steel and plastics). Fiberboard 
containers usually contain solid materials. Glass containers are used for a 
wide variety of materials. Look for other container clues as well, such as 
rounded or spherical shape (usually associated with pressurized 
materials), color (amber glass may contain light-sensitive materials), and 
types of openings (bungs, valves, ring-tops, etc.). All of these clues may 
help to identify the type of hazardous material involved. 

Over-the-Road Transport, Non-Pressurized 

Of all the containers encountered, these are probably the most common. 
They can contain almost anything, and are all regulated by DOT with 
regards to construction and specification. The listing that follows 
specifies the DOT designation and provides a general description of the 
types of materials carried and a generic outline of the tank in question. 






A136 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A136 



DD DO 


Rear View 

Specifications: 

Non-Pressurized (3-7 psig), 9,000-gallon 
maximum capacity, normally single-shell 
aluminum construction. May have up to 8 
compartments. 

Transports: 

Liquids, normally with a specific gravity less 
than 1, such as: petroleum products, solvents, 
and poisons 6.1 (Packing Group II and PG III). 















A137 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A137 



OO 


Side View 



Rear View 

Specifications: 

Non-Pressurized (3-25 psig), 7,000-gallon 
maximum capacity, normally double shell 
carbon steel or stainless steel construction. May 
have 2 compartments, and usually has an 
insulating jacket. 

Transports: 

Liquids, normally with a specific gravity greater 
than 1, including general chemicals and mild 
corrosives. 



















A138 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A138 



00 00 


Rear View 

Specifications: 

Non-Pressurized (3-25 psig), 6,000-gallon 
maximum capacity, single or double shell 
carbon steel, stainless steel, or poly-lined steel 
construction. May have up to 4 compartments. 
May be insulated. 

Transports: 

Very strong corrosive liquids, normally with a 
specific gravity much greater than 1, including 
spent sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and 
sodium hydroxide. 





































A139 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A139 


PNEUMATIC HOPPER TRAILERS 



00 WUW ] 


Side View 



Specifications: 

Non-Pressurized (3-25 psig), 1,500-cubic feet 
maximum capacity, usually single-shell 
aluminum or steel construction. May have up 
to 4 compartments. 

Transports: 

Solids in powder form such as fertilizers, 
cement, and dry caustic soda. 










A140 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A140 


Over-the-Road Transport, Pressurized 

These containers are also regulated by DOT, however they pose some 
slightly different hazards to responders than the non-pressurized 
containers. Pressurized containers may contain gases, liquified gases, or 
cryogenic materials, dependant upon the specific tank involved. In 
almost all cases, the materials these containers hold will be gases when 
released into the environment. This creates some significant hazards for 
responders, since gases usually have the greatest potential for migration, 
and therefore the greatest potential to impact a large area and a large 
number of people. Unfortunately, gases are also probably the most 
difficult state of matter to contain and control. 




A141 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A141 


ivrr. u 







Side View 



Rear View 


Specifications: 

Pressurized (100-500 psig), 11,500-gallon 
maximum capacity, normally single-shell steel 
construction, uninsulated, upper 2/3 painted 
white. May be compartmented. 

Transports: 

Liquified gases, such as LPG, propane, and 
anhydrous ammonia. 











A142 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A142 


MC-338 



00 00 


Rear View 


Specifications: 

Pressurized (25-500 psig), 14,000-gallon 
maximum capacity, normally double-shell steel. 
Single compartments with relief valves 
(normally venting during operations). 

Transports: 

Liquified, cryogenic (-150°F or less) gases such 
as liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid carbon 
dioxide. 



























A143 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A143 


TUBE TRAILER 



00 00 


Rear View 


Specifications: 

High pressure (3,000-5,000 psig), 2-20 steel 
cylinders, all containing the same material and 
manifolded together at the rear. 

Transports: 

Gases under high pressure, such as argon, 
helium, oxygen, and nitrogen. 








































A144 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A144 


Rail Transport Containers 

In general, rail cars pose significant problems to responders as a result of 
the quantity of material involved. Mitigation of an incident involving a 
rail car can tax resources, because in many instances local response 
organizations may not have the type or amount of mitigation resources 
required. In addition, rail cars involved in accidents can be damaged 
severely. These types of accidents can last for several days, pose 
substantial threats to the public and responders, and result in the release 
of large amounts of materials. 

Rail, Non-Pressurized 

Unlike over-the-road containers, it is not possible to determine whether a 
rail car is non-pressurized by the shape of the tank. Rail cars almost 
always have some type of an insulating jacket. This makes it impossible 
to see the tank and determine its shape. For rail cars, the best method of 
determining non-pressurized cars from pressurized cars is to look at the 
manway area on top of the car. Non-pressurized cars have a large, bolted 
manway with several fittings (relief valves, gauging rods, etc.) around it 
which are relatively unprotected. They will usually also have off-loading 
valves on the sides or bottom of the car. 













A145 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A145 


Rail, Pressurized 

Pressurized rail cars will have a well-protected dome covering the 
valving assembly on top of the car. This dome is normally locked 
closed, and protects all of the off-loading valves and relief valves on the 
car. There will be no other valving visible on the car. 



Fixed Facility, Non-Pressurized 

Fixed facility containers can contain almost anything. These containers 
are normally fixed in place, and may be extremely large (containing 
millions of gallons of material, in some cases). Non-pressurized fixed 
facility containers, more correctly termed “atmospheric” tanks since they 
are generally at ambient atmospheric pressures, can normally be 
identified by reviewing the construction. These tanks may have dome 
roofs, geodesic dome roofs, floating roofs, or simply flat roofs. They are 
normally not constructed with rounded ends or edges. 


















A146 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A146 



Dome Roof Tank 

STORES: flammable and combustible 
liquids, chemical solvents, etc. 




Cone Roof Tank 

STORES: flammable, combustible, 
and corrosive liquids 



1 ^ — 


Open Floating Roof Tank 
STORES: flammable and combustible 
liquids 


<A 

7 



Open Floating Roof Tank with 
Geodesic Dome 
STORES: flammable liquids 






























A147 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A147 



Covered Floating Roof Tank 

™ — — — — — 


STORES: flammable and combustible 



liquids 


^ — ^ 

Horizontal Tanks 



STORES: flammable and 



combustible liquids, corrosive liquids, 



poisons, etc. 















A148 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A148 


Fixed Facility, Pressurized 

As with any tank, pressurized fixed facility tanks will have rounded 
edges, and may even be perfectly spherical. They can be under very high 
pressure and usually contain relatively large quantities of gases, liquified 
gases, or cryogenic materials. 



High Pressure Horizontal Tank 
STORES: liquid propane gases, 
anhydrous ammonia, flammable 
liquids with high vapor pressures 



High Pressure Spherical Tank 
STORES: liquid propane gases 



Cryogenic Liquid Tank 
STORES: liquid oxygen (LOX), 
liquid nitrogen, and other liquified 
gases 



























A149 


CONTAINER SILHOUETTES 


A149 


Fixed Facility, Underground Storage 

Underground storage is very common at fixed facilities. Underground 
storage tanks can usually be identified by manways, fill pipes, vent pipes, 
concrete pads with covered fill holes, or electrical cables entering or 
exiting the ground. These tanks primarily contain petroleum products, 
and may be extremely large. 



Underground Storage Tank 
STORES: primarily petroleum 
products 
































. 

' 
































































■ 
















































APPENDIX 5 


Guide to DOT 

and NFPA PLACARDS 


The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires 
transporters to display diamond-shaped placards on the exterior of their 
vehicles when carrying hazardous materials above certain weight limits. 
These placards represent the type of hazards presented by the materials 
being carried, according to the hazard class they fall under. There are 
nine hazard classes specified by DOT, several of which are subdivided 
into divisions. These divisions segregate special types of material 
hazards within a hazard class. 

Placards are diamond-shaped markers, 10-3/4 inches on each side, 
which consist of four major components; the hazard class symbol, the 
hazard class number, the background color, and (to a lesser degree) the 
United Nations ID number or the hazard class name. These four 
components can be used to determine the hazards presented by a 
material in transport, usually from a safe distance away. 

The hazard class symbol is located in the top comer of the diamond and 
is specific to the hazard presented by the material. 

The hazard class number (and the division number for Class 1 and Class 
5 materials) is located in the bottom comer of the diamond, and is 
specific to its hazard class or division. 

The background color provides the background for the placard and 
corresponds to a specific hazard presented by the material. 






A152 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A152 


The hazard class name, as well as the United Nations (UN) ID number, 
may or may not be present. If the hazard class name is present, it will 
be located in the center of the placard between the hazard class symbol 
and the hazard class number. If the UN ID number is present, it will 
either be located in the center of the placard between the hazard class 
symbol and the hazard class number, or immediately adjacent to the 
placard itself. UN ID numbers will be four digits long, and will be 
black on a white background (if located in the center of the placard) or 
black on an orange background (if located adjacent to the placard). 

Keep in mind that neither of these markings may be present. It is 
therefore important to be familiar with the other placard components. 



4-Digit UN ID 
Number 


White 

Background 


Orange 

Background 



Background 
Color 


Hazard Class 
Name 


Hazard Class 
Number 


Hazard Class 
Symbol 


The following list provides DOT definitions for the specified hazard 
classes and divisions, as well as examples of the specific placards 
utilized. Any material which falls into any of these DOT classes will 
require placarding in transport if it exceeds certain weight limits. 









A153 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A153 


Class 1 (explosives) 

Explosive means any substance or article, including a device, 
that is designed to function by explosion (i.e., an extremely 
rapid release of gas and heat) or that, by chemical reaction 
within itself, is able to function in a similar manner even if not 
designed to function by explosion. Explosives in Class 1 are 
divided into six divisions. Each division will have a letter 
designation (located where the * is on the placards). All of 
these placards have orange backgrounds. 



Division 1.1 consists of 
explosives that have a 
mass explosion hazard. A 
mass explosion is one that 
affects almost the entire 
load instantaneously. 
Examples: black powder, 
dynamite, and TNT. 


Division 1.2 consists of explosives that have a projectile hazard 
but not a mass explosion hazard. Examples: aerial flares, 
detonating cord, and power device cartridges. 


Division 1.3 consists of explosives that have a fire hazard and 
either a minor blast or a minor projectile hazard, or both, but 
not a mass explosion hazard. Examples: liquid-fueled rocket 
motors and propellant explosives. 


*vw v * 


Division 1.4 consists of 
explosive devices that 
present a minor explosion 
hazard. No device in the 
division may contain more 
than 25 g (0.9 oz) of a 
detonating material. The 
explosive effects are largely confmed to the package and no 
projection of fragments of appreciable size or range are 
expected. An external fire must not cause instantaneous 






A154 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A154 


explosion of the entire contents of the package. Examples: 
line-throwing rockets, practice ammunition, and signal 
cartridges. 

Division 1.5 consists of 
very insensitive explosives. 
This division comprises 
substances that have a mass 
explosion hazard but are so 
insensitive that there is 
very little probability of initiation or of transition from burning 
to detonation under normal conditions of transport. Examples: 
prilled ammonium nitrate fertilizer-fuel oil mixtures (blasting 
agents). 




detonating substances and the 
probability of accidental initi 


Division 1.6 consists of 
extremely insensitive 
articles that do not have a 
mass explosive hazard. 
This division comprises 
articles that contain only 
extremely insensitive 
demonstrate a negligible 
ion or propagation. 


Class 2 (compressed gases) 


Division 2.1 (flammable 
gas) RED 

BACKGROUND COLOR. 
Any material that is a gas 
at 20°C (68°F) or less and 
101.3 kPa (14.7 psi) of 
pressure; a material that 
has a boiling point of 20°C (68°F) or less at 101.3 kPa (14.7 
psi) and that (a) is ignitable at 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi) when in a 







A155 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A155 


mixture of 13% or less by volume with air; or (b) has a 
flammable range at 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi) with air of at least 
12% regardless of the lower limit. Examples: inhibited 
butadienes, methyl chloride and propane. 


Division 2.2 
(nonflammable, 
nonpoisonous compressed 
gas, including compressed 
gas, liquified gas, 
pressurized cryogenic gas, 
and compressed gas in 

solution) GREEN BACKGROUND COLOR. Any material 
(or mixture) that exerts, in the packaging, an absolute pressure 
of 280 kPa (41 psia) at 20°C (69°F). 



A cryogenic liquid is defined as a refrigerated liquified gas 
having a boiling point colder than -90°C (-130°F) at 101.3 kPa 
(14.7 psi) absolute. Examples: anhydrous ammonia, cryogenic 
argon, carbon dioxide, and compressed nitrogen. 



Division 2.3 (poisonous gas) 
WHITE BACKGROUND 
COLOR. A material that is 
a gas at 20°C (68°F) or less 
and a pressure of 101.3 kPa 
(14.7 psi or 1 atm), a 
material that has a boiling 
point of 20°C (68°F) or less at 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi), and that 
(a) is known to be so toxic to humans as to pose a hazard to 
health during transportation; or (b) in the absence of adequate 
data on human toxicity, is presumed to be toxic to humans 
because, when tested on laboratory animals, it has an LC 50 
value of not more than 5,000 ppm. Examples: anhydrous 
hydrogen fluoride, arsine, chlorine, and methyl bromide. 


Hazard zones associated with Division 2.3 materials: 


Hazard zone A: LC 50 less than or equal to 200 ppm. 




A156 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A156 


Hazard zone B: LC 50 greater than 200 ppm and less than or 
equal to 1,000 ppm. 

Hazard zone C: LC 50 greater than 1,000 ppm and less than or 
equal to 3,000 ppm. 

Hazard zone D: LC 50 greater than 3,000 ppm and less than or 
equal to 5,000 ppm. 


(Flammable liquid) RED 
BACKGROUND COLOR 
Any liquid having a flash 
point of not more than 
60.5°C (141°F). 

Examples: acetone, amyl 
acetate, gasoline, methyl 
alcohol, and toluene. 

Hazard zones associated with Class 3 materials: 

Hazard zone A: LC 50 less than or equal to 200 ppm. 

Hazard zone B: LC 50 greater than 200 ppm and less than or 
equal to 1,000 ppm. 

A combustible liquid (RED BACKGROUND COLOR) is 
defined as any liquid that does not meet the definition of any 
other hazard class and has a flash point above 60°C (140°F) 
and below 93°C (200°F). Flammable liquids with a flash point 
above 38°C (100°F) may be reclassified as a combustible 
liquid. 

Examples: mineral oil, peanut oil, and No. 6 fuel oil. 


Class 3 (flammable liquid) 







A157 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A157 


Class 4 (flammable/reactive materials) 



Division 4.1 (flammable 
solid) RED AND WHITE 
STRIPED BACKGROUND 
COLOR. Any of the 
following three types of 
materials: 


(a) Wetted explosives - explosives wetted with sufficient water, 
alcohol, or plasticizers to suppress explosive properties. 


(b) Self-reactive materials - materials that are liable to 
undergo, at normal or elevated temperatures, a strongly 
exothermic decomposition caused by excessively high transport 
temperatures or by contamination. 

(c) Readily combustible solids - solids that may cause a fire 
through friction and any metal powders that can be ignited. 


Examples: magnesium (pellets, turnings, or ribbons) and 
nitrocellulose. 


Division 4.2 (spontaneously 
combustible material) 
WHITE TOP HALF AND 
RED BOTTOM HALF 
BACKGROUND COLOR. 
Any of the following 
materials: 

(a) Pyrophoric material - a liquid or solid that, even in small 
quantities and without an external ignition source, can ignite 
within 5 minutes after coming in contact with air. 

(b) Self-heating material - a material that, when in contact with 
air and without an energy supply, is liable to self heat. 

Examples: aluminum alkyls, charcoal briquettes, magnesium 
alkyls, and phosphorus. 







A158 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A158 


Division 4.3 (dangerous 
when wet material) BLUE 
BACKGROUND 
COLOR. A material that, 
by contact with water, is 
liable to become 
spontaneously flammable 
or to give off flammable or toxic gas at a rate greater than 1 L 
per kg of the material per hour. Examples: calcium carbide, 
magnesium powder, potassium metal alloys, and sodium 
hydride. 



Class 5 (oxidizers) 



materials. Examples: am 
and calcium hypochlorite. 


Division 5.1 (oxidizer) 
YELLOW 

BACKGROUND COLOR. 
A material that may, 
generally by yielding 
oxygen, cause or enhance 
the combustion of other 
nitrate, bromine trifluoride, 


Division 5.2 (organic 
peroxide) YELLOW 
BACKGROUND COLOR. 
Any organic compound 
containing oxygen (O) in 
the bivalent -O-O- structure 
that may be considered a 
derivative of hydrogen peroxide, where one or more of the 
hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals. 

Division 5.2 materials are assigned to one of seven types: 







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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A159 


Type A - organic peroxide that can detonate or deflagrate 
rapidly as packaged for transport. Transportation of type A 
organic peroxides is forbidden. 

Type B - organic peroxide that neither detonates nor deflagrates 
rapidly, but that can undergo a thermal explosion. 

Type C - organic peroxide that neither detonates nor 
deflagrates rapidly, and cannot undergo a thermal explosion. 

Type D - organic peroxide that detonates only partially or 
deflagrates slowly, with medium to no effect when heated 
under confinement. 

Type E - organic peroxide that neither detonates nor 
deflagrates, and shows low or no effect when heated under 
confinement. 

Type F - organic peroxide that will not detonate, does not 
deflagrate, shows only a low, or no, effect if heated when 
confined, and has low or no explosive power. 

Type G - organic peroxide that will not detonate, does not 
deflagrate, shows no effect if heated when confined, has no 
explosive power, is thermally stable, and is desensitized. 

Examples: dibenzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, 
and peroxyacetic acid. 

Class 6 (poisons) 


Division 6.1 (poisonous 
material) WHITE 



BACKGROUND COLOR. 
A material, other than a gas, 
that is either known to be so 
toxic to humans as to afford 
a hazard to health during 


transportation, or in the absence of adequate data on human 
toxicity, is presumed to be toxic to humans, including 





A160 


Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A160 


that cause irritation. Examples: aniline, arsenic compounds, 
carbon tetrachloride, hydrocyanic acid, and tear gas. 

Division 6.2 (infectious substances) WHITE BACKGROUND 
COLOR. A viable microorganism, or its toxin, that causes or 
may cause disease in humans or animals. Infectious substance 
and etiologic agent are synonymous with each other. 

Examples: anthrax, botulism, rabies, and tetanus. 


Class 7 (radioactives) 


(,radioactive materials) 
YELLOW TOP HALF, 
WHITE BOTTOM HALF 
BACKGROUND COLOR. 
A radioactive material is 
defined as any material 
having a specific activity 
greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram (uCi/g). Examples: 
cobalt, uranium hexafluoride, and "yellow cake." 



Class 8 (corrosive) 


0 corrosive materials) 
WHITE TOP HALF AND 
BLACK BOTTOM HALF 
BACKGROUND COLOR. 
A corrosive material is 
defined as a liquid or solid 
that causes visible 
destruction or irreversible alterations in human skin tissue at 
the site of contact, or a liquid that has a severe corrosion rate 
on steel or aluminum. 



Corrosivity is measured by pH, which ranges from 0 (highly 
acidic) through 7 (water, neutral) to 14 (highly basic). Acids 
attack tissues aggressively. Bases (also referred to as alkaline 
and caustic) attack tissues less aggressively in general; 







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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A161 


however, they are fat soluble and therefore have a greater 
potential to affect subcutaneous layers. 

Examples: nitric acid, phosphorus trichloride, sodium 
hydroxide, and sulfuric acid. 


Class 9 (miscellaneous) 


BLACK AND WHITE 
STRIPED TOP HALF, 
AND WHITE BOTTOM 
HALF BACKGROUND 
COLOR. A miscellaneous 
hazardous material is 
defined as a material that 
presents a hazard during transport, but that is not included in 
another hazard class, including (a) any material that has an 
anesthetic, noxious, or similar property that could cause 
extreme annoyance or discomfort to a flight crew member so 
as to prevent the correct performance of assigned duties; and 
(b) any material that is not included in any other hazard class, 
but is subject to the DOT requirement (a hazardous substance 
or a hazardous waste). 

Examples: adipic acid, hazardous substances (e.g., PCBs), 
and molten sulfur. 



In summary: 

Class 1: Explosives 

Orange background, bursting ball symbol 
Class 2: Compressed Gases 
2.1 Flammable Gas 
Red background, flame symbol 
2.2Non-Flammable Gas 
Green background, cylinder symbol 
2.3 Poison Gas 

White background, skull and crossbones symbol 
Class 3: Flammable Liquids 





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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A162 


Red background, flame symbol 
Class 4: Flammable Materials 

4.1 Flammable Solids 

Red and white striped background, flame symbol 

4.2 Spontaneously Combustible 

White top half and red bottom half background, flame symbol 

4.3 Dangerous When Wet 
Blue background, flame symbol 

Class 5: Oxidizing Materials 

5.1 Oxidizers 

Yellow background, burning “O” symbol 

5.2 Organic Peroxides 

Yellow background, burning “O” symbol 
Class 6: Poisonous Materials (other than gases) 

6.1 Poisons 

White background, skull and crossbones symbol (or com stalk 
symbol) 

6.2 Infectious Substances 

White background, biohazard symbol 
Class 7: Radioactive Materials 

Yellow top half and white bottom half background, propeller 
symbol 

Class 8: Corrosives 

White top half and black bottom half background, test tube 
pouring liquid on steel rod and hand symbol 
Class 9: Miscellaneous 

Black and white stripe top half and white bottom half 
background, no symbol 

DOT exempts certain materials from placarding requirements 
when in transport. These materials are designated “Otherwise 
Regulated Materials,” abbreviated "ORM". Prior to the HM- 
181 standards, these materials were designated ORM-A, 
ORM-B, ORM-C, ORM-D, and ORM-E. Today, only the 
ORM-D materials remain. 

ORM-D Material 


An ORM-D material is a material that presents a limited 
hazard during transportation due to its form, quantity, and 
packaging. 





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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A163 


Examples of ORM-D materials include consumer commodities 
and small arms ammunition. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed a 
standardized marking system (704M) designed to be utilized at fixed 
facilities storing hazardous or flammable materials. This system has been 
adopted by many industries, and may now be found on small containers 
as well as large fixed facility containers. The system was originally 
designed to provide firefighters critical information on the hazards posed 
by stored materials during firefighting operations. As such, it needed to 
be large enough to see and concise enough to be quickly discernible in 
emergency situations. 

The NFPA 704 system uses a diamond divided into four different color 
quadrants. Each quadrant is colored differently, representing a specific 
hazard. The red quadrant (top) represents a flammability hazard, the blue 
quadrant (left) represents a health (or toxicity) hazard, the yellow 
quadrant (right) represents a reactivity (explosion) hazard, and the white 
quadrant (bottom) is reserved for special hazards. The diamond looks 
like this: 


Blue Quad 
(Health) 



Red Quadrant 
"(Flam ability) 


White Quadrant 
(Special) 


Yellow Quadrant 


(Reactivity) 


NFPA 704 Marking System 


The numbers in each quadrant of the NFPA 704 system indicate the 
degree of hazard posed to a firefighter (wearing turn-out bunker gear and 




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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A164 


an SCBA) for that particular quadrant. A "0" indicates minimal risk, and 
a "4" indicates high risk. More specifically, the NFPA designations for 
the numbers assigned to these quadrants are as follows: 

Blue - Health Hazard 

In general, the health hazard in fire fighting is that of a single exposure, 
the duration of which may vary from a few seconds up to an hour. The 
physical exertion demanded in fire fighting or other emergencies may be 
expected to intensify the effects of an exposure. In assigning degrees of 
danger, local conditions must be considered. The following explanation 
is based on use of the protective equipment normally worn by fire 
fighters. 

4 - These materials are too dangerous to health for a firefighter to 
be exposed. Turn-out bunker gear and an SCBA are not 
adequate protection from inhalation and skin exposure to 
this material. Skin contact with the vapor or liquid of this 
material may be fatal. Inhalation of the vapors of this material 
may be fatal. 

3 - These materials are extremely hazardous to health, but fire areas 
may be entered with extreme care. Turn-out bunker gear and an 
SCBA may not be adequate protection from inhalation and skin 
exposure to this material. No skin surface should be exposed 
and additional protective clothing may be needed. 

2 - These materials are hazardous to health, but fire areas may be 
entered freely with turn-out bunker gear and an SCBA. Turn¬ 
out bunker gear and an SCBA are adequate protection from 
inhalation and skin exposure to this material. 

1 - These materials are only slightly hazardous to health. Turn-out 
bunker gear and an SCBA are adequate protection from 
inhalation and skin exposure to this material. 

0 - These materials, even under fire conditions, pose no additional 
health hazards over those of ordinary combustible materials. 
Turn-out bunker gear and an SCBA are adequate protection 
from inhalation and skin exposure to this material. 




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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A165 


Red - Flammability Hazard 

Susceptibility to burning is the basis for assigning degrees within this 
category. The method of attacking the fire is influenced by this 
susceptibility factor. 

4 - These materials are extremely flammable gases or extremely 
volatile flammable liquids. If possible, stop the flow and keep 
exposed tanks cool. Withdrawal may be necessary. 

3 - These materials can be ignited under almost all normal 

temperature conditions. Water may be an ineffective means of 
extinguishing these materials because of the very low flash 
point. 

2 - These materials must be heated slightly before they will ignite. 

Water may be an effective means of extinguishing these 
materials because they can be cooled below their flash points. 

1 - These materials must be preheated before they will ignite. A 
water fog may be sufficient to extinguish these materials when 
burning. 

0 - These materials will not bum. 

Yellow - Reactivity (Stability) Hazard 

The assignment of degrees in the reactivity category is based upon the 
susceptibility of materials to release energy either by themselves or in 
combination with water. Fire exposure was one of the factors considered 
along with conditions of shock and pressure. 

4 - These materials are readily capable of detonation or explosive 

decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures. If they 
are involved in a massive fire, vacate the area immediately. 

3 - These materials, when heated or under confinement, are capable 

of detonation or explosive decomposition and they may react 
violently with water. Fire fighting should be conducted from 
behind explosion resistant barriers. 




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Guide to DOT and NFPA PLACARDS 


A166 


2 - These materials will undergo violent chemical change at 
elevated temperatures or pressures but do not detonate. 
Firefighting should be conducted from a distance or with 
portable monitors if possible. Tanks containing these materiafs 
should be kept cool. Use caution. 

1 - These materials are normally stable, but may become unstable 
in combination with other materials or at elevated temperatures 
or pressures. Fire fighting can be conducted utilizing 
precautions normal to any fire. 

0 - These materials are normally stable and do not present any 
reactivity hazards to firefighters. 

White - Special Hazard 

Under the 704 system, a “W” with a slash through it indicates that no 
water should be used. An “OX” indicates that the material is an oxidizer, 
and may increase the flammability hazard of other materials. There are 
some other symbols that may appear in this quadrant, such as: 

ALK - This material is corrosive to skin and steel, and is a base (alkaline) 
material. 

ACID - This material is corrosive to skin and steel and is an acid 
material. 


AwA - This material is radioactive. 




APPENDIX 6 


Integrating Removal and 
Remedial Site Assessment 
Investigations 


United States 

Office of 

Directive 9345.1-6FS 

Environmental Protection 

Solid Waste and 

EPA540-F-93-038 

Agency 

Emergency Response 

September 1993 


EPA INTEGRATING REMOVAL AND 


REMEDIAL SITE ASSESSMENT 
INVESTIGATIONS 


Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 
Hazardous Site Evaluation Division (5204G)+ 
Quick Reference Fact Sheet 


Increased efficiency and shorter response times are the primary 
objectives of integrating removal and remedial site assessment 
investigations under the Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model 
(SACM). This is based on the assumption that there is duplication of 
effort between the programs. A critical element of SACM is a 
continuous and integrated approach to assessing sites. The concept of 
integrating removal and remedial site assessment activities was 
introduced in Assessing Sites Under SACM—Interim Guidance 
(OSWER Publication 9203.1-051, Volume 1, Number 4, December 
1992). This fact sheet examines areas of duplication and key 
differences between the two types of investigations, and describes 







A168 


INTEGRATING INVESTIGATIONS 


A168 


some approaches for integrating assessments. The primary audience 
for this information is the site assessment community which includes 
EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) and Site Assessment Managers 
(SAMs), their counterparts in state or other federal agencies, and 
assessment contractors. 

REMOVAL ASSESSMENTS AND REMEDIAL SITE 
ASSESSMENTS 

Figure 1 illustrates traditional assessment activities of the removal and 
remedial programs prior to SACM. Typically, when EPA is notified of 
a possible release (under CERCLA Section 103), the removal program 
determines whether there is a need for emergency response by EPA. If 
a response is deemed necessary, an OSC and/or a removal program 
contractor will visit the site. If circumstances allow, a file and 
telephone investigation should be initiated prior to the site visit. The 
OSC may decide to take samples during this initial visit or may 
postpone sampling. EPA can initiate a removal action at any point in 
the assessment process. If the OSC determines that the site does not 
warrant a removal action, he may refer the site to remedial site 
assessment or the State for further evaluation, or recommend no further 
federal response action. 

The remedial site assessment process is similar to that of the removal 
program. Once a site has been discovered and entered into the 
CERCLIS data base, the SAM directs that a preliminary assessment 
(PA) be performed at the site. The focus of PA data collection is the 
set of Hazard Ranking System (HRS) factors that can be obtained 
without sampling (e.g., population within l A mile). The PA includes a 
file and telephone investigation, as well as a site visit (the PA 
reconnaissance, or “recon”). The PA recon differs from the typical 
removal site visit because samples are not collected and observations 
are often made from the perimeter of the site (although some Regions 
prefer on-site PA recons). From the PA information, the SAM 
determines if a site inspection (SI) is needed (i. e., whether the site 
could score greater than the 28.5 needed to qualify for inclusion on the 
National Priorities List (NPL)). The SI would include sufficient 
sampling and other information to allow the SAM to determine 
whether the score is above 28.5. Even in cases where SI data are 




A169 


INTEGRATING INVESTIGATIONS 


A169 


adequate for this decision, it may be necessary to conduct an expanded 
site inspection (ESI) to obtain legally defensible documentation. 

In general, the remedial site assessment process is more structured than 
the removal assessment and operates on a less intensive schedule. The 
remedial site assessment process is focused on collecting data for the 
HRS, while Removal assessments are based on whether site conditions 
meet National Contingency Plan (NCP) criteria for a removal action. 

INTEGRATING ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES 

While there are differences in objectives between removal and remedial 
assessments (i.e., NCP removal criteria versus HRS), many of the same 
factors are important to both programs: the potential for human 
exposure through drinking water, soils, and air pollution; and threats to 
sensitive environments such as wetlands. Similarities in the activities 
required by both assessments-telephone and file investigations, site 
visits or PA recons, removal or SI sampling visits—suggest that the 
activities can be consolidated. The challenge of integrating 
assessments is to organize the activities to enhance efficiency. 

The basic goals of an integrated assessment program under SACM are: 

• Eliminate duplication of effort. 

• Expedite the process. At a minimum, avoid delays for time-critical 
removal actions or early actions (see Early Action and Long-Term 
Action Under SACM- Interim Guidance, OSWER Publication 
9203.1 - 051, Volume 1, Number 2, December 1992, for details on 
early and long-term actions). 

• Minimize the number of site visits and other steps in the process. 

• Collect only the data needed to assess the site appropriately. 

The last point is critical to enhancing efficiency since not all sites need 
to be assessed in depth for both removal and remedial purposes. 
Integrating assessments does not mean simply adding together the 
elements of both assessment for all sites—efficient decision points 




A170 


INTEGRATING INVESTIGATIONS 


A170 


must be incorporated into the integration process. The elements 
deemed necessary for an integrated assessment depend on the 
particular needs of a specific site and could involve similar, additional, 
or slightly different activities from traditional removal or remedial site 
assessments. 

Figure 2 shows an approach for integrating the two assessments and 
indicates ways to eliminate unnecessary data collection. The most 
important features of the approach are the combined notification/site 
discovery/screening function; the single site visit for both programs; 
phased file searches as appropriate; and integrated sample planning and 
inspection. This approach is detailed below. 

Notification/Site Discovery/Screening 

This “one door” notification process is a combination of the current 
removal and remedial program notification/discovery. All remedial 
and removal program discovered sites are screened for possible 
emergency response. The screening step would determine whether 
there is time for a file search prior to the initial site visit. 





Index 


Abandoned tank cars,.45 

Absorption,.A99-A101 

Additive effects .A106 

Air, .A113-A115 

American Association of Railroads, .8 

Analytical terminology, . A127-129 

Antagonistic effects, .A106 

APR,.6 

ATSDR,.12 

Basic data interpretation,.A121-A133 

Biological variation, .A102 

CAMEO, .10 

Centers for Disease Control.8 

Chemical Emergency Preparedness Program..8 

Chemical storage, .32-33 

Chemical mixtures, . A105-A106 

Additive effects,.•.A106 

Antagonistic effects, .A106 

Potentiation effects,.A106 

Synergistic effects, .A106 

CHEMTREC.8 

CIS.10 

Concentration units,.A130 

Criteria for removal action,.13-15 

Data validation procedures, .A132-A133 

Dose vs response,. A103-A104-A105 

Drum site, .24-26 

Emergency Removal Guidelines .49-70 

Environmental media, .All3-A119 

Air, .A113-A115 

Soils . A116-A117 

Water, .A117-A119 

Fire/explosion cene,.22-23 



































IDLH,.A111 

Industrial facility,.37-40 

Inhalation, .A98-A99 

Injection, .A102 

Ingestion,. A101-A 102 

Laboratory site, .34-36 

Lagoon site, .27-28 

Landfill site, .29-31 

MCL, .A112 

National Animal Poison Control Center, .9 

National Contingency Plan,.13-18 

National Pesticide Telecommunications Network,.9 

PEL,.A111 

Potentiation effects,.A106 

Preliminary assessment, .13,15,18' 

Qualitative hazard recognition, .19-47 

Abandoned tank cars,.45 

Chemical storage,.32-33 

Drums site,.24-26 

Fire/explosion scene,.22-23 

Industrial facility,.37-40 

Laboratory,.34-36 

Lagoon,.27-28 

Landfill,.29-31 

Service building/maintenance,.46 

Underground storage tank,.44 

Warehouse,.45 

Removal Action Levels (RALs).72-91 

Removal and Remedial Site Investigation, .A167-A170 

RCRA hotline,.9 

Routes of Exposure, .A97-105 

Absorption,.A99-A101 

Inhalation, .A98-A99 

Injection, .A102 

Ingestion,.A101-A102 





































Safe Drinking Water hotline.9 

Safety,. 5-6 

Sampling,.A122-A133 

Sampling plan,.A122, A123-A127 

SCBA,. 6 

Service building/maintenance site, .46 

Site investigation,.13, 15, 18-20 

Soils,.A116-A117 

Superfund hotline,.9 

Synergistic effects, .A106 

Texas Tech University Pesticide Hotline,.9 

TLV,.A110 

TLV-C, .A110 

TLV-STEL,.A110 

TLV-TWA,.A110 

Toxicology,.A93-A112 

TOXNET, .10 

TSCA hotline, .9 

Underground storage tank,.44 

US Department of Transportation Hotline .9 

Warehouse,.45 

Water,. A117-A119 

















































































































LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


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